Sven Botman has opened up about his “warm” experience at Newcastle United so far. A transfer wrangle saw the Magpies tussle with European royalty to land the Dutchman last summer.
At one point, AC Milan were firm favourites to sign the highly-coveted defender. Newcastle’s precarious league position made it difficult to entice one of the continent’s top prospects.
Serie A leaders - and eventual champions - Milan had Paulo Maldini in their ranks to persuade Botman to the San Siro but he still decided to join United. To suggest his signing has been a roaring success would be an understatement.
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Zero defeats in his 18 league appearances is reflective of just how important Botman is to Eddie Howe’s side. A rock-solid understanding with Fabian Schar has proven the cornerstone for Newcastle’s success this season.
The 23-year-old has described his new surrounding as family-like - vindicating his decision to choose St James’ Park over Milan. Botman also admitted to being “surprised” at how involved the new regime is
“It is a very warm club, really a family,” he told Only The Best, relayed by Voetbal Zone.
“The new owners (Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghosoussi) really surprise me; they are at the club very often. Every fortnight anyway. Then they come over, take the kids and go and watch (the match). They absolutely love that.
“The other month we were at a training camp in Saudi Arabia and we visited two other owners in their palace. Bizarre. (It is) really a whole other world.”
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