Kieran Trippier admits Mehrdad Ghodoussi did not need to 'sell' the opportunity to sign for Newcastle United. The former Tottenham defender became the first signing of the new era when he sealed a January switch from Atletico Madrid.
Trippier was one of five recruits to arrive at St James' Park, and the England international was accused of chasing the money by swapping life with the La Liga winners for a Premier League relegation battle. The right-back made an immediate impact in black-and-white and scored successive free-kicks in Everton and Aston Villa, but is currently sidelined after suffering a foot injury.
Trippier insists a desire to return to the north of England and family were the main reasons behind his decision to sign for Newcastle, and claims part-owner Ghodoussi did not need to 'sell' the 'project' on Tyneside. He told the True Geordie podcast: "I know my reasons why I came back, to live in the north and for my family, and of course for the project as well. I spoke to the managers, the owners about the direction they want the club to go in.
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"It's exciting, and for me it was a no-brainer to come back to England."
When pressed on his conversations with Ghodoussi and the club's new owners, Trippier said: "Very good people. We were talking about the direction they want the club to go in, we all need to realise it's a building process. The most important thing for us is staying in the league this season.
"I don't really want to look too far ahead but it's exciting. It's exciting to be involved with the club. To be honest, they didn't sell it to me if I'm being honest with you. For me, the most important thing was being with the manager because I know him very well. Obviously I spoke to Cal Wilson who I'm very close with as well, who was telling me about the club.
"For me, it was important that my family came back to England and especially the north. They didn't really sell anything to me."
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan was one of several prominent critics to claim Trippier's 'only reason' for joining Newcastle was down to money, and the subject was heavily discussed on talkSPORT. When asked whether the criticism affected him, the defender replied: "It didn't annoy me.
"For me, it doesn't bother me. I know my reasons why I came back and money wasn't one of them. If it was, I would have stayed in Madrid. I didn't really think of that. I was just excited about the whole thing, coming back to England and playing in the Premier League."
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