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From Tenerife To Tyneside
Written by Newcastle Utd
Spanish front man Ayoze Perez spoke to nufc.co.uk about settling into life on Tyneside
By Tom Easterby
New Spanish under-21 international Ayoze Perez is settling in well on Tyneside.
The 21-year-old, who became United's first signing of the summer when he joined from Segunda Division side Tenerife in June, has told nufc.co.uk he is enjoying his new surroundings and is grateful for the assistance of captain Fabricio Coloccini - a fellow Spanish speaker.
"In the very short time I've been here, I feel rather content," said the young forward.
"I'm settling in quite well and the people around me have made that journey easier by supporting me. I'm very happy to be here.
"When you go to a new place and you don't speak the local language, it's always very important to have support around you from various people. Colo has been very supportive because we share the same language, so that's been great."
Perez is currently away with former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder Albert Celades's under-21 squad for their European Championship qualifiers against Hungary and Austria.
And the Santa Cruz de Tenerife-born striker says he is eager to explore all that the city of Newcastle has to offer upon his return.
"Since I've been here, I've been out in Newcastle and it's a city that I like," he said.
"It looks very promising. There are still some places that I would like to visit and I have to visit, but I'm hoping that while I'm here, I'll be able to visit all those places."
The Magpies' number 17 has served as back-up to fellow new arrival Emmanuel Riviere so far, coming on as a substitute in each of United's first three Barclays Premier League fixtures.
Such early outings, he says, have come as a surprise to Perez, although he is eager to ensure that his standards don't drop.
"It's very important that I've been called in to play in all the games so far," he said.
"It is rewarding and flattering that the manager has put his trust in me, and I need to work hard to improve and up my game even more.
"I never imagined (that I would be in the first team so soon). In fact, it's a dream come true for any player my age.
"When I was playing in Tenerife, it was obviously in a low division, so being in a senior team in the Premier League is something that makes me very proud. It's a dream come true."
To buy a Newcastle United shirt with Ayoze Perez's name and number on the back, click here.