Newcastle United new boy Yankuba Minteh says signing for the Magpies earlier this summer was "a dream come true".
Minteh has started work for the 2023/24 season on Thursday with Feyenoord after joining the Dutch giants on loan for the entire campaign. The 18-year-old Gambian winger will get the chance to play in the Champions League with the title winners from Holland and his journey will be followed closely by Newcastle loan co-ordinator Shola Ameobi and his number two Peter Ramage.
Minteh, speaking to Danish network TV2, said: "I was excited to tell my parents. They had been praying for me, and had been since I was young. They know I want to be a football player. "They hope for the best for me and have been supporting me."
His signing was covered by Danish TV as he swapped Odense Boldklub for Newcastle and then immediately signed for the Dutch side.
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Minteh added: "It is just like a dream come true for me. This is what I have been working for, five years ago. So I was dreaming of this. Now here is a chance in front of me, I think I have to grab it and keep going."
Ameobi plays a prominent part in the TV documentary-style programme and was on hand to watch over proceedings as he said goodbye to colleagues in Denmark and was then welcomed by his loan club Feyenoord. In the show, Feyenoord officials told Minteh they intend to get him "super fit" for the new season.
Ameobi said on the channel: "He is a big deal. For us as a club, in terms of what we are trying to do as a club going forward, we're signing exciting young talent. So it's great news for us. The good thing is he is at the start of it - it is exciting.
"I remember too many years ago, it's that far back, it's a journey. It's not an easy one but if he has the right mindset and right mentality, he's got the tools. And the sky's the limit."
Ameobi and Ramage will share scouting missions across the North Sea as he starts in Rotterdam. Before saying goodbye for the summer, Ameobi told the youngster: "Don't think this is the end, this is just the beginning. The work, the journey in terms of where you want to get to, think about the end goal. It's great we have got to this point but think about the end goal."
