Defender Florian Lejeune, who left Newcastle United last summer, has admitted he is delighted that the club have been taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The French centre-back spent three years with Newcastle after joining from SD Eibar in a £9m deal in July 2017.
He went on to make 46 appearances in all competitions for the club, a figure that would have been higher had he not spent large parts of his time in the North East out with two serious knee injuries.
He departed in September 2020, joining Spanish side Alaves on loan in search of regular playing time.
He’s become a key player for them since, making 62 appearances in all competitions and turning his loan move from Newcastle into a permanent one last summer.
That means he’s missed out on being a part of the drastic change brought about by PIF’s takeover at St James Park in October.
The Saudi Arabian group are looking to transform the club after finally getting Mike Ashley out, with a big summer of investment in the transfer window planned, and Lejeune is delighted for them.
“The English are like that when it comes to dressing up,” he told El Correo, when asked about the fans’ celebrations after the takeover was complete.
“But yes, I spoke to Joselu about it. In the end, I’m happy for them. It’s a club that was struggling, and their fans are very good.
“They play in a big stadium for more than 50,000 spectators. I was very good in England; it’s a league that has something special.”
