Sven Botman insists he has nothing to prove to former boss Erik ten Hag as he prepares to make his competitive bow for Newcastle United. The summer signing is expected to start on Saturday as Eddie Howe's side begin their campaign against Nottingham Forest.
Botman was the subject of interest from the Magpies in January, but the former Ligue 1 champions were unwilling to part with the defender in the mid-season window. AC Milan were also interested in the 22-year-old's signature, but Eddie Howe ultimately landed his top defensive target after lengthy negotiations.
The Netherlands youth international has already impressed during his short stint in black-and-white so far, and will likely partner either Dan Burn or Fabian Schar this weekend. Botman has forged a reputation as one of the most promising defenders in Europe, despite never making the senior breakthrough with Ajax.
READ MORE: Patrick Kluivert's key role in Sven Botman's move to Newcastle United revealed
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was the man in charge of the Dutch giants when the young defender attracted attention from Lille following a successful loan spell with Heerenveen. Liverpool and Tottenham were both credited with an interest in the teenager, but it was the French side who managed to seal a bargain deal.
Botman went on to make 78 appearances for Lille, and helped his new club break Paris Saint-Germain's stranglehold on the domestic title in his debut season. Lille would then go on to bank a significant return on their invesment when Newcastle came calling this summer, with a total package in the region of £46 million agreed upon.
Botman's success in France led to inevitable questions being raised over Ajax's decision to cash-in, with ten Hag stating at the time that the teenager was down the pecking order at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Reflecting on this decision to leave his homeland, the Newcastle defender admits he was not going to 'succeed' with the reigning Eredivise champions, and insists he has nothing to prove to his former manager.
He told the Mail Online: "I understood the choices they made. When I was 18, I was not good enough. They had a way of playing and I was not at that level. I had a good season on loan at Heerenveen but still, I did not know if Ajax was the right club for me - I was not the right profile. The moment Lille came, I knew I had to do this. I was not going to succeed or be fully myself at Ajax.
"It is a crazy story that Ajax got over €13million for me and I never played a minute for the first-team! So, they did OK out of it. When I am honest, I cannot be angry with them. Ten Hag agreed that Lille was better for me. I don't have anything to prove to him this season. I am thankful he was honest."
READ NEXT
'No club in the world' Sven Botman on St. James' Park atmosphere and Newcastle United's pre-season
Roy Keane sees 'fantastic' St James' Park change as Newcastle owners' stadium plan clear
'What I have to sell' - Eddie Howe details finer points of his Newcastle United transfer talks
Newcastle United told to 'break the bank' for James Maddison transfer with one condition
James Maddison stand-off tests Newcastle's 'silly money' vow amid transfer value debate
