Newcastle United's new signing Dwight Gayle says he can't wait to help fire the Magpies back into the top flight at the first attempt



By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Dwight Gayle has capped his remarkable rise from non-league football by signing for Newcastle United - and he says he can't wait to help fire the Magpies back into the top flight at the first attempt.

The 25-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal at St. James' Park on Friday, joining from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee.

Just five years ago, the forward was plying his trade in the Essex Senior League with Stansted FC.

Back then, Gayle told nufcTV, he'd have laughed if he'd been told he'd be leading the line at St. James' Park in a few seasons' time.

But the former Peterborough frontman says he is "ecstatic" to have arrived at the Club - and explained that having progressed from the humble surroundings earlier in his career makes the move all the more "special".

"If you'd have told me that (I'd be signing for Newcastle) then, I'd probably have laughed and told you were a liar, but to finally be here, on the route I've come, is a great achievement," said Gayle. "I just want to crack on now, perform, and get the goals to push us back up.

"I'm ecstatic really. It's amazing to be at a big club like this and to come from where I've come, is just a dream come true. There's a massive fanbase and a great history here, so it's amazing to be here.

"From Stansted I signed for Dagenham and went on loan to Bishop's Stortford. I had a great season there and I loved it, thoroughly enjoyed my time there. The next season I joined Dagenham and started well there again. I pushed on to Peterborough and had a great time in the Championship, and then went on to Palace, where I've been for the last three years.

"Coming the route I did makes it that bit more special. I appreciate it that bit more. When I go back to see some mates and go back to watch my old teams, you just notice how far you've come, and that's when you really cherish it that bit more."

Gayle is manager Rafa Benitez's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels earlier in the week.

He becomes the first attacking recruit of Benitez's reign at St. James' Park, and he is well aware of the long line of venerated centre forwards to have worn the black and white stripes before him.

"Looking back, there's been some extremely good forwards here, and the fans do love a good striker," said Gayle, who has already scored at St. James' Park - for Crystal Palace in a 3-3 draw in September 2014. "If I can follow them and be half as good as some of them, then I'll be OK.

"I'm quite good at finishing, I suppose. I'm quite quick, and I'm going to give my all and work hard for the team, and try my best every game.

"You want to get to the 20 mark, and that's the first stage you want to get to. You go into each game trying to score, but the main aim for us is just to get promoted - that's going to be the main idea.

"It's a massive club, and I don't see us not being at the top of the table of there or thereabouts. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I can help push the team that way with my goals and my performances."

You can watch Dwight Gayle's interview with nufcTV here