Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall has spoken of his “relief” over his move from Chelsea and admitted adjusting to life in the North East was originally “really difficult”.
Hall moved on an initial loan from Chelsea in August 2023 with a view to a full-time move this summer, but there was speculation throughout the season if he would make the appearances necessary to trigger the deal.
However the 19-year-old’s £28m move – with £7m in possible add-ons – was confirmed in July.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Hall told BBC Radio Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck at the Magpies’ pre-season training camp in Germany.
“I knew what was coming so it wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but there was a sense of relief because you never know in football. Things change so quickly.
“I was buzzing when it got announced.”
Hall made 22 appearances for Newcastle last season but played just twice in their opening 15 Premier League games and only found regular form and playing time towards the end of the campaign.
“Last season was more of a learning curve for me because when I first joined I wasn’t quite at the levels required physically,” he added.
“It was all about getting up to those physical levels. There’s being football fit but then ‘Newcastle fit’ is slightly above the average.
“It was getting up to speed with that and then learning how the team plays. It took me a lot longer than I thought it would but I needed to keep my head down, work hard and then take my opportunity when it came.
“It was really difficult for me. I was moving away from home so sometimes I’d come home and not have the support I would have had. I think that helped me as a person because it taught me lessons on how to deal with setbacks.
“I managed to overcome those things. Without that, I wouldn’t have had that spell at the end of the season.”
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