“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”



I would like to start my first column for The Athletic with this quote from Confucius, the Chinese philosopher and politician.



People in Newcastle have been talking about my decision to move to China without knowing what happened behind the scenes during my three years at St James’ Park.



I haven’t wanted to say too much about that — I’ve encouraged supporters to get behind Steve Bruce and his new team — but I’ve been made aware of what Lee Charnley, Newcastle’s managing director, claimed in the club’s match programme last weekend and I think it’s important I address that.



Hopefully, it will be the last time I have to do so. In the future I want to write about football and nothing but football.



When I joined Newcastle in 2016, I did it with all my heart. I could feel the history and see the potential of the club and I wanted to be...