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Sels Can't Wait To Get Started
Written by Newcastle Utd
Goalkeeper Matz Sels is looking forward to meeting his new team-mates when they report for pre-season training on Friday
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
New signing Matz Sels says he can't wait to meet his team-mates and get started after agreeing a five-year deal to join Newcastle from Gent.
Rafa Benitez's squad report back to their extensively-refurbished Benton base for pre-season training on Friday and kick off their summer schedule with a training camp in Ireland in less than two weeks' time.
And Sels - who lifted the Jupiler Pro League title in 2014/15 and played in the Champions League last season - is already excited about getting down to business on Tyneside.
"I'm looking forward to meeting them," he told nufcTV in his first interview as a Magpies player.
"I know a few players and I'm looking forward to working with them.
"I have played against (Aleksandar) Mitrovic and Chancel (Mbemba), but I think there are a lot of good players here.
"I was a little bit surprised that the team were relegated last year, because a few years ago they played in the Europa League in Belgium against Brugge and normally it's a team that play on top of the rankings in the Premier League.
"We have to bring this team back where it belongs, and that is the Premier League."
Sels won the Professional Goalkeeper of the Year award in Belgium last term and was called up to the senior Belgium squad for friendlies against Andorra and Israel in October 2015.
But, while Netherlands international Tim Krul and Ireland keeper Rob Elliot are both likely to miss the start of next season through injury, Sels knows that he faces competition from Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman in the opening weeks of the campaign.
"It's nice to be the best goalkeeper in your country, but the most important thing is to win prizes with the team," he said.
"I hope I can help the team, and the most important thing is that the team goes up.
"I came here to try to play and I hope I can play good games and stay there. We will see in the next games. Hopefully we can win the first few games and go for a good season.
"I'm good with my feet and have good reflexes, and one against one I am quite okay.
"But I've also got things to learn and I hope I can learn a lot of things in the Championship."