‘The end of a dream’ - Newcastle United ‘bargain’ posts emotional exit message

Ex-Newcastle United defender Mathieu Debuchy has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 37-year-old former France international full-back has taken to social media to post an emotional message, thanking the clubs he’s played for in his career, which has spanned two decades.

Posting on Twitter, Debuchy said: “The end of a dream but the beginning of a new life. Thank you to all the people from near and far who have contributed to my development in the different clubs where I have been.”

Debuchy also went on to thank of the various clubs he has represented across the last 20 years.

The right-back was a popular player on Tyneside, having arrived as part of the Magpies’ ‘French Revolution’ under Alan Pardew. While Pardew was the manager at the time, his arrival was largely inspired and orchestrated by then chief scout and de facto director of football Graham Carr.

Debuchy was signed from Lille in January 2013 for a fee of around £5m, as then owner Mike Ashley sanctioned the purchase of a number of players to boost the club’s chances of avoiding relegation. The defender went on to make more than 40 appearances in his year and a half at St James’ Park, before being sold for Arsenal in July 2014.

A tough spell at the Emirates then saw a loan move to Bordeaux before finishing up his career with Saint-Etienne and final destination, Valenciennes.