Joining Newcastle was an 'easy decision', says Kenedy

The Brazilian winger checked in at St. James’ Park on Tuesday, penning a loan deal from Chelsea which will keep him on Tyneside until the end of the current campaign.

And in his first interview as a Newcastle player, the 21-year-old told NUFC TV that Atsu – his former teammate at Stamford Bridge – had spoken highly of the club.

Kenedy also revealed that manager Rafa Benítez was a considerable factor in his move to the north east.

“I’m so happy with this opportunity. I’m excited to start today,” he said. “I’m so happy with this opportunity at Newcastle. They’ve opened the door to me to come here, show my potential and come to play for Newcastle.

“It’s a traditional club and Rafa Benítez is a fantastic, amazing coach. Christian Atsu as well – we trained together at Chelsea and know each other, and he said good things about the club. So it was easy to take this decision.

“I’m very grateful to have worked under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. Now I have the opportunity to work with Rafa Benítez, and I’m happy about that.”

The former Fluminense man joined Chelsea in 2015, having honed his skills playing on the streets on Santa Rita, in south east Brazil, as a youngster.

“I first played for Santa Rita do Sapucaí, a small village in Brazil. I played there on the pitch and on the street and there, I learned a lot about how to play football,” he said. “Now I’m so, so happy to realise my dream to be a professional footballer and play in the Premier League. I’ve realised a dream.

“Street football taught me a lot. Where I was born in Brazil, your father gives you the ball and I learned to play football in the street with my friends. It certainly made a lot of difference in my career.

“Now I’ve arrived here, which is good for my career. I have many years of football in front of me and I like English football a lot. For us in Brazil, it’s very special.”

Kenedy, who spent time on loan at fellow Premier League side Watford last season, becomes the fourth Brazilian player to feature for the Magpies.

Fumaça and Caçapa have donned black and white in more recent times, while back in 1987 Mirandinha became the first Brazilian to play in English football.

“I’m honoured to have this opportunity to play for this big club. I’m so happy,” said Kenedy. “I hope I can do a fantastic job, like the guys did before. I want to help Newcastle and make history, like those guys did.”

And he has pledged to do all he can to help Benítez’s men climb the Premier League table in the second half of the season.

“I’ve come to help the team, to give everything on the pitch, to give my maximum,” he said. “I’ll give everything for the club, for my teammates, for my coach, to help Newcastle achieve their objectives for the season.

“I’ve come to show my ability, my creativity, my ginga Brasília, and I think I can help this squad.”