Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted he is "devastated" to see Jonjo Shelvey leave the club.
Shelvey completed a deadline day switch to Nottingham Forest last night but returned to his old stomping ground to say his final goodbyes. Newcastle were in Carabao Cup action at St. James' Park as they defeated Southampton 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to progress to the final later this month.
The former Liverpool midfielder spent seven years on Tyneside and played a big role both on and off the pitch in Newcastle's resurgence over the last 12 months, despite an injury ravaged campaign. Shelvey was in the stands watching the game and played a part in some of the post-match celebrations, delivering a speech to his former teammates, which defender Fabian Schar was proud to witness.
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"It was emotional, actually," the defender told ChronicleLive. "What he was saying was coming from his heart.
"I've played with him for four-and-a-half years and he's an unbelievable player but, also, a great character. The whole team is going to miss him. This dressing room is going to miss him.
"The same as Woodsy [Chris Wood] and all the players that have left. Jonjo has been here for seven years and done unbelievable so I wish him nothing but the best, but I'm sad that he is leaving."
With Newcastle a little short on bodies in the middle of the park, Howe was reluctant to let Shelvey leave this month despite his injury issues. However, Howe was happy to accept Shelvey's wishes and believes his post-match speech was a perfect way to bring his time at the club to a close.
"He spoke really well," Howe told reporters. "I was really pleased to see him speak in the way that he did, expressing his thanks to everybody in the room and just looking back at his journey with the club.
"He's been an incredible servant for the football club over many years. In dark times as well for the club, he has always stood up and given his best for the club. I can't speak highly enough of him as a player and as a person, and we're devastated to lose him."
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