Former Newcastle United flop set for Magpies reunion after completing shock Premier League switch

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Matz Sels is relishing his return to English football after completing a deadline day move for Nottingham Forest.

The six-times capped Belgium international became Rafa Benitez’s first signing as Magpies manager when he made a £5m switch to St James Park from Gent during the summer of 2016. However, his time on Tyneside failed to live up to expectations as made just 14 appearances in all competitions before spending the following season on loan at Anderlecht.

A permanent departure from St James Park came during the summer of 2018 when Sels joined French club Strasbourg - but he has now earned a second crack at life in England by completing a £5.5m move to Forest and he could make his debut against Newcastle when Eddie Howe’s side visit the City Ground next Friday night.

After putting pen-to-paper on a three and a half year deal to become Forest’s latest addition, Sels expressed his delight over the move but gave little indication over his feelings on his ill-fated time on Tyneside.

He told Sky Sports: “I am very happy to be here. I am very tired because it was a long day and a long journey but I am very happy to be here. I knew of their interest from this morning and everything was going so quickly. I am a little bit tired but I am going to take some rest and hopefully be ready for the weekend. This is the past (when asked about Newcastle), I am going to look forward now. What is happening in the past is done and I’m very happy to be here and I’m looking forward to starting to play for this team.”

Meanwhile, former Magpies striker Dwight Gayle is looking for a new club after he mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Stoke City. The 34-year-old scored three goals in 50 appearances for the Potters, with two coming in a 5-1 win at Sunderland in March 2023.