Defender spotted at airport as Newcastle United set to confirm late transfer
Newcastle United defender Jamal Lewis has landed in Brazil ahead of completing a surprise loan move to Brazilian giants Sao Paulo.
The 26-year-old re-integrated himself back into Eddie Howe’s squad in pre-season after spending last year on loan at Watford, who opted against activating the clause to sign him permanently.
Lewis had been expected to return to the Championship and the closure of the English transfer window on Friday appeared to leave him in limbo. However, he is set to spend a season in Sao Paulo after arriving at Guarulhos International Airport on Sunday.
"I want to try and win cups and push up the league,” Lewis told journalists waiting in the arrivals terminal. “I’m super excited to meet all the Sao Paulo fans. I’ve seen some games and I can’t wait to step out on that pitch.
"The Premier League is intense, it’s tough, it has a lot of quality, so hopefully I can bring a lot of that - bring my athleticism, defend, attack, help score goals and assist - and contribute to Sao Paulo.”
Lewis was due to link up with Northern Ireland today ahead of their Nations League double-header with Luxembourg and Bulgaria but manager Michael O’Neill has confirmed he will now join the squad later in the week instead.
“Jamal is planning to join us later in the week after he completes his Visa requirements and medical checks in Brazil. We wish him the best of luck in his new move to Sao Paulo,” said O’Neil.
Lewis joined Newcastle from Norwich City in 2020 for £15m and has gone on to make 36 appearances. His last competitive outing came on the final day of the 2022-23 season as a substitute away to Chelsea.
The full-back is out of contract next summer, meaning he is likely to have played his last game for United.
“I’ve always really rated him and held him in high regard ever since his Norwich days when I was a really big fan of his,” Howe said last month. “Working with him, a great attitude, wants to improve and he’s really benefited from his loan spell. Coming back into the group, he’s trained really well.
“Ultimately, a lot will depend on what he wants, if he wants to continue playing football and it might be difficult for me to guarantee him that so we’ll wait and see.”