Newcastle United signing Yoshinori Muto revealed he spoke to two Premier League players before deciding on a move to Tyneside, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper revealed on their website that the forward, who has earned 25 caps for Japan, spoke with Southampton’s Maya Yoshida and Leciester’s Shinji Okazaki who convinced their international team mate to complete the move to Tyneside by speaking highly of the football club’s passionate supporters.
Muto arrived from German side Mainz on a four-year deal after being granted a work permit and is looking forward to the opportunity of playing in the Premier League.
We are delighted to announce that Japan international Yoshinori Muto has completed a move to Newcastle United after he was granted a work permit at a hearing today. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/eB7qAoxtsa
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 2, 2018
Speaking to NUFC TV, Muto said: “I am very happy to be a member of Newcastle United. I am really looking forward to playing in-front of the fans.
“I heard from Maya Yoshida and Shinji Okazaki that Newcastle supporters are really enthusiastic, that the atmosphere in the stadium is immense.
“I felt that I would really like to play in-front of these wonderful fans.
“Three years ago there was an offer from Chelsea but I didn’t feel I was ready to play in the Premier League.
“During these three years, both my mental and physical strength improved. Newcastle recognised this improvement and made an offer, and I am very happy to do whatever I can to help Newcastle United.”
OPINION
Yoshinori Muto will discover fast that playing up front for Newcastle United comes with greater expectations than at former club Mainz. The German club’s home ground, the Opel Arena, holds 18,000 – a considerable contrast to St James’ Park which holds over 52,000 spectators . He has proved however that playing in front of larger crowds does not faze him after netting at Borussia Dortmund’s giant Signal Iduna Park in each of the past two seasons. Muto, who was named in Japan’s 23-man squad for the World Cup, has been keen on a move to the Premier League in the past and feels that now is the ideal time to prove himself with a move to the North East. Muto did feature against Newcastle in Mainz’s 2-1 pre-season win last summer and was interested in signing for the club ever since. Muto has a great workrate which will be a delight to the ears of his new supporters.