Thiaw - as he salutes team-mate’s ‘undisputed’ talent

MALICK Thiaw has revealed a conversation with Eddie Howe put the final seal on his decision to join Newcastle United in the summer, writes SEAN McCORMICK.

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Thiaw joined the Magpies in a £34.6million summer move from AC Milan and had to be patient to get his chance in the team.

But after Fabian Schar was ruled out with concussion protocols in September, the 24-year-old grasped his opportunity and he has cemented himself as one of Newcastle's most important players.

And, opening up on his decision to move to Tyneside, Thiaw has revealed he held initial talks with Newcastle before the summer but was convinced the move was right for him after a conversation with the United head coach.

“There was already a conversation in the spring, but this summer it became much more concrete than in previous years,” Thiaw told Sky Deutschland.