Rafa was key to Magpies move, says Florian

The French centre half completed his move from SD Eibar on Tuesday, becoming the Magpies’ second signing of the summer after the arrival of Christian Atsu in May.

Lejeune penned a five-year deal at St. James’ Park, committing his future to United until the summer of 2022.

And in his first interview as a Newcastle player, Lejeune explained that the prospect of working with a coach of Benitez’s calibre helped make his decision to join the club an easy one.

“I am really delighted to be here. This is a huge club and I am very happy to have signed here at Newcastle,” the 26-year-old told NUFC TV.

“In all honesty, when a manager like Rafael Benitez wants you and insists that you join him, you can be nothing but very proud, and you want to join him.

“The factor was that he is one of the very best managers in the world. And when one of the best managers calls you and tells you he wants you to be part of his team, you know he will really push you to be your very best and, in part, it is thanks to him that I signed here.

“He was well aware of my abilities and spoke about what I would be able to achieve here in England. He said that the Premier League is the best in the world, that it is very physical and intense, and if I came to work with him I’d be able to achieve my personal goals.”

Lejeune has played his club football to date in both his native France – where he featured for Agde, Istres and Stade Brest – and Spain, where his successful stint at Eibar followed spells with Girona and Villarreal.

He also spent a season on Manchester City’s books, though he spent the entirety of that 2015/16 campaign out on loan at Girona.

And now, having bolstered the Magpies’ defensive ranks, Lejeune is looking forward to fulfilling his dream of playing in the Premier League, having had the chance to look around the stadium he’ll hope to play at for the first time in next month’s final pre-season friendly against Hellas Verona.

“Newcastle is a great club, and one of the most emblematic in the whole of England. Some huge players have been here, not just French but also English, such as Alan Shearer,” he said.

“The stadium, St. James’ Park, is amazing, with a fantastic atmosphere. So when a club like Newcastle comes calling, you can only be interested.

“It is a dream (to play in the Premier League). There are so many huge clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool. At Newcastle, every weekend there is a big match involving the best players and it has always been my dream to play in this league. Now I am lucky enough to have this opportunity.

“I am delighted to have signed here at Newcastle, and I hope the fans will be proud. I will give everything I have out there on the pitch.”