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Lloyd Kelly got transfer seal of approval from two Newcastle United players
LLOYD Kelly got the seal of approval on a move to Newcastle United from Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes - not that the defender needed much convincing when he learnt of interest from the Magpies.
Kelly has worked with head coach Eddie Howe previously when he was in charge at Bournemouth and the 25-year-old was desperate to once again link-up with his old boss.
The presence of Howe makes Kelly confident that he'll quickly make himself at home at St James' Park and he thinks his style of play makes him a good fit for United.
"The way I view myself is someone who's calm, composed, wants to play with the ball but my defensive qualities come to light," said the former England Under-21 international.
"I enjoy one-v-one defending. There's a bit of a balance there being able to defend and being comfortable with the ball. I want to be able to step out and play and show what I can do with the ball as well.
"In the past year or so watching Newcastle games you've seen they want to be progressive, on the front foot. It suits my style."
One major appealing factor when Howe identified Kelly as a leading summer target is his versatility, with the defender equally as comfortable at centre-half and left-back.
Kelly said: "I think it's massive. Over the years you've seen it in big clubs, managers who've changed the style of the left-back role. Being able to play those two roles definitely helps my game and helps me understand the two positions. When I play centre-half, I know what the left back wants and vice-versa."
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After five years at Bournemouth, Kelly rejected the offer of a new contract this summer after learning of Newcastle's interest.
He spoke to former Bournemouth teammate Wilson and Barnes, who he knows from the international scene, but he jumped at the chance to once again work under Howe.
"It's Newcastle as a whole," he said.
"Everyone knows their story and how big the club is. Speaking to the gaffer, it didn't really need to take much.
"The gaffer knows how highly I think of him and the way he shapes his teams suits my attributes. It just made sense.
"I've spoken to a few of the players - Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes who I played in the England set-up with. Those two players I was in contact with.
"Everyone has told me that everyone is super friendly here and it's a nice city to live. I'm excited to start this journey."
Kelly's journey into professional football wasn't straight forward. When he was just seven, he was separated from his mother and spent the following 11 years in foster care. But he believes those childhood challenges help ensure he always has a sense of perspective.
"My childhood, growing up in the foster care system has definitely shaped who I am as a person," he says.
"It made me grow up a lot faster than maybe some other children would. Having that toughness and being able to go through things and come out the other side and finding ways to come through situations, that has shaped my mentality.
"It's all positive. It puts things into perspective as well. Even when you're in a tough position, you can always find a way to get out of it."
Kelly was thrilled to get his Newcastle move finalised early, with a five-year deal signed. He'll officially become a United player on July 1 and is counting down the days to the start of pre-season.
"It's massive (getting it done early)," he said.
"That's my number one priority at the moment, getting settled and then focusing on pre-season. I want to be able to come into pre-season 100% fit physically and mentally ready as well.
"Personally of course it is a big step but at the same time I'm ready to take on the challenge. Over the next season for the club, Champions League football is something I know the fans will want to get back to. Watching the games from before, it seemed crazy."
