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Loan Star Patrick's Farewell Message
Written by Newcastle Utd
Dutch ace thanks Toon Army for support and hopes for Toon title success
By Craig Hope
PATRICK van Aanholt waved an emotional farewell to the Toon Army following Saturday's 2-1 victory at Watford.
The 2,500-strong travelling horde of Geordies nearly raised the roof when the Dutch left-back broke off from his team-mates after the full-time whistle to show his appreciation for their support.
van Aanholt has been a sensation during a month-long stay on Tyneside and signed off with another energetic display at Vicarage Road.
The 19-year-old will now return to parent club Chelsea as he swaps United's Championship promotion battle for The Blues' Premier League title tussle.
But, as van Aanholt told nufcTV, The Magpies' will be the first result he looks for between now and the end of the season.
"I will look for the Newcastle results straight away and I will keep in touch with all of the players," he said.
"I have played every game and it has helped me a lot. The whole team is full of very good players and I really hope they win the league.
"I have to go back now to Chelsea but I have loved my time here and it has been a brilliant experience.
"It was also nice to get a win in my last game and we deserved the three points."
And, reflecting on that reception from the United fans, van Aanholt said: "That meant a lot - they like me, I think, and I like them.
"They have been important for me during my time here and I wanted to show them that at the end.
"It was nice when they responded like that - they are brilliant fans and it has been an honour to play for Newcastle United."