Leicester City forward Ayoze Perez has reflected on his time at former club Newcastle United, revealing he still has a soft spot for the Magpies.
The Spaniard joined the Foxes in the summer of 2019 after a £30m move from St James' Park, and has been a key component of Brendan Rodgers' exciting side this season.
However the former Tenerife player made his name in England further north, having joined Newcastle in 2014. He spent five years at the club as a relatively consistent presence in an often turbulent side.
The 26-year-old scored 48 times in his 195 appearances in all competitions at the club, sticking with them in 2016 despite relegation to the Championship, before helping Rafa Benitez's side to promotion back to the top flight.
Such was the effect of his five-year stay at the club, Perez has revealed that he still keeps on eye out for his former side.
He told Sky Sports: “I just wish them the best. They are a special team for myself. It was a very important part of my career.
“They gave me the opportunity to become a professional footballer and I grew up a lot in that city, in that club. I always look at their results and I always hope for the best for them."
Despite his excellent form at the King Power Stadium - including a hat-trick in a 9-0 demolition of Southampton - Perez has clearly not forgotten the club which gave him his chance in English football.
In his final season at the club, he formed a strong partnership with attacker Salomon Rondon. However, both players left Tyneside in 2019, with the Magpies struggling for goals despite the expensive addition of Brazilian forward Joelinton.
Source : 90min