I just want to be the very best version of myself I can possibly be

AS Anthony Elanga parked himself in front of a picturesque Austrian backdrop yesterday afternoon, a host of journalists back in the north east of England queued up to get their first opportunity to quiz Newcastle United's £52m arrival.

- By AARON STOKES

In a wide-ranging and fascinating 30-minute interview, the youngster is peppered with questions over Alexander Isak’s future, his start to life on Tyneside and whether he, as is now customary at football clubs, had to perform an initiation song upon arrival.

The answer to that particular question saw Elanga explain why he opted for a Ben E King classic in front of his teammates.

But in between the comical responses over sing songs and the like, there was a steely determination evident in the responses the youngster gave. Elanga does not sound like a 23-year-old but instead speaks like a man well beyond his years.

It should come as no surprise, really, given he grew up at arguably the biggest football club in the world at the time, breaking into the first-team at only 19 before having to prove why Manchester United were foolish to let him leave for Nottingham Forest.

After wasting no time making the Red Devils regret their decision, and with a mighty price tag and inflated reputation to now shoulder, Elanga arrives at Newcastle determined to succeed.

You suspect that task will be made easier given he is already familiar with a fair chunk of Eddie Howe’s current crop.