Newcastle United loan flop hits out at criticism over ill-fated Magpies stay

Former Newcastle United flop Luuk de Jong has hit back over criticism he received following his short spell at St James Park a decade ago.

With United reeling from the £20m sale of talismanic midfielder Yohan Cabaye to Paris Saint-Germain, De Jong agreed a half-season loan from German club Borussia Mönchengladbach in the final days of the January transfer window in 2014. The Netherlands international made his debut in a 3-0 home defeat against Sunderland just days later and that really set the tone for an underwhelming spell on Tyneside.

By the time De Jong made his final appearance for the Magpies as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on the final day of the season, the former FC Twente had failed the find the back of the net and his sole contribution would be an assist for a Shola Ameobi goal in a home loss against Swansea City.

His poor spell at St James Park has not prevented De Jong from going on to enjoy a successful career after becoming a three-time Eredivisie winner with PSV Eindhoven and scoring twice as Sevilla became Europa League winners with a 3-2 win against Inter Milan. De Jong also landed loan move to Barcelona in 2021 and scored six goals in 21 appearances for the Catalan giants.

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Now back with former club PSV, De Jong has scored 27 goals in 34 appearances as his side have moved ten points clear of Feyenoord in the Eredivisie title race and he will hope to help the Eindhoven outfit continue their Champions League run when they face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of a round of 16 tie on Tuesday night.

Reflecting on his short-lived spell on Tyneside ahead of the game, De Jong hit out after being informed he had been named in a list of the 100 worst Premier League strikers - but still described Newcastle as ‘a beautiful, big club’.

He told The Guardian: “Really? When I only played 12 matches and not all of them from the start? And not in my position, either? Oh well, that’s the football world, you know. I was young. I think I am better armed now to take on Premier League defenders. It’s about your response to adversity – that makes the difference.

“I had to replace midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who went to PSG. I usually played behind the striker, which is not my favourite position. We were often pushed back very far; I barely got to the goal. I knew that beforehand but you don’t say ‘no’ when you get a chance in the Premier League at such a beautiful, big club. I would have liked to show more.”