Former Newcastle United defender Florian Lejeune has revealed that is was always his 'dream' to play in the Premier League. Lejeune, who now plays for Rayo Vallecano, spent four years at Newcastle but would only make 46 appearances in total.
Lejeune had enjoyed a remarkable rise from the fourth-tier of French football before joining Newcastle from Eibar in 2017. He started out at Agde, before making his mark with FC Istres in the French Ligue 2.
He was rewarded with a transfer to La Liga side Villarreal although he was unable to pin down a regular place with the Yellow Submarine as they succumbed to relegation. He largely plied his trade in their B team before returning to France with Brest where yet another relegation would follow.
After two seasons back in his homeland, Lejeune once again moved to Spain, this time in the second-tier with Girona. He played 81 times, scoring eight goals, for the White and Reds across two seasons. Lejeune joined Manchester City after his first campaign, but returned to Girona on loan.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Bournemouth could get go-ahead as Queen's funeral detail confirmed
A solitary season in Eibar, after leaving Man City, brought him to the attention of Newcastle but injuries would ultimately restrict his opportunities at St James' Park. His spell started in the worst possible fashion when he was injured 34 minutes into Newcastle's opening day 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2017.
Nonetheless, Lejeune made 24 appearances for the Magpies in 2017/18 - his most in a single campaign across his three seasons in England. He missed the first four months of the following season due to a crucial ligament rupture and a knee injury later in the season would restrict him to 13 outings in all competitions.
His knee injury carried into the 2019/20 season, but Lejeune was able to conjure up his finest moment in a Newcastle shirt when his two stoppage time goals earned them a 2-2 draw against Everton in January 2020.
A thigh injury ended his season prematurely and Lejeune joined Alaves on a season-long loan, ultimately drawing his spell in Newcastle to an end. Despite his difficulties in the Premier League, Lejeune holds no grudges, and instead called the opportunity to join Newcastle a 'dream'.
“It was a dream to play in England and when Benítez called me for Newcastle I didn’t hesitate,” he told AS.
“At the beginning, it was all good, but in pre-season I injured my cruciate muscle. I had the operation in Rome and came back quite quickly.
“Then I played 13 or 14 games in a row, and I broke the one in the other leg. It was a tough blow.”
Lejeune made his move to Alaves permanent in July 2021 and has largely avoided his previous injury woes - amassing 67 appearances across all competitions. After Alaves' relegation to the Spanish second-tier, Lejeune signed for Rayo Vallecano on a season-long loan this summer.
READ NEXT:
Liverpool and Premier League clubs give Newcastle what Sir Alex loved at Manchester United
Newcastle get reassuring two words from Liverpool source that hint at shock move to be announced
Newcastle make unannounced summer addition behind scenes
Newcastle's Kevin Keegan invite plan in huge Ashley change and Alan Shearer left 'very moved'
Newcastle owners' plan Dan Ashworth has 'keen eye on' as staff member makes spending admission
