Newcastle United new boy Harrison Ashby admits Eddie Howe was a big part of his decision to join the club after watching a host of players improve under the Magpies boss in recent months.
Ashby became Newcastle's second January signing on Tuesday, penning a long-term deal after opting to leave West Ham United. The right-back, 21, admits he almost joined in the summer but the Hammers managed to persuade him against leaving at the start of the season.
Ashby's interest in Newcastle never faded as he continued to hope for a switch up north to materialise. Now he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Emil Krafth and Sean Longstaff by raising him game under Howe's stewardship.
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"Straight away when the interest came, the gaffer said 'we want you'," he told NUFC TV. "You can tell since he's came in, certain players have gone from here (gestures low) to elite level players (gestures high).
"I think straight away I was thinking I can go from how I am now to an elite level player. It's a big thing for me. You don't get better unless you practice.
"Something my dad drilled into me was 'you've got to better than the next person and that's only going to come with hard graft'. So on the pitch and in the gym I'm always doing extra."
Ashby will play back up to first choice right-back Kieran Trippier and battle it out with Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth in the full-back area. But the new arrival wants to one day become Newcastle's out and out starter on the right of the defence.
“I’m quite similar to Tripps, I like to get up and down, and for me, him being here is a big attraction," Ashby added. "He’s one of the best right-backs in the league, if not in Europe, so coming in to learn from him, especially when we’ve got similar styles of play, is going to be a big thing in my progression to being as good, if not better.”
Speaking after the transfer was confirmed, Howe said: "Harrison is a very talented young player with a lot of potential so we are delighted to sign him. He has very good attributes so we are looking forward to working with him in this exciting new chapter of his career."
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