Joelinton has spoken of his happiness at Newcastle United's capture of Anthony Elanga
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Joelinton returns to Pre Season Training at the Newcastle United Training Centre on July 07, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Joelinton is enjoying the fact Newcastle United newcomer Anthony Elanga is no longer an opponent following his £55m arrival on Tyneside.
The Swede watched on from the sidelines on Saturday as Joelinton and his co-stars ran out 4-0 winners over Carlisle United at the club’s Benton base. Elanga will kickstart his United career in the coming days before pulling on the black and white colours in friendly fixtures later in the month.
The 23-year-old has caused Eddie Howe's side plenty of problems over the years, looking particularly impressive as Nottingham Forest stunned the Magpies at St James' Park on Boxing Day in 2023.
Joelinton was a second-half substitute on that day but has encountered Elanga's strengths on other occasions. The midfielder likely won't be the only United star grateful to have the pacy winger on their side going forward.
“He's a really good player with a lot of qualities," Joelinton told Newcastle's official media channels. "He's very fast, can score or assist and has been tough to play against so I'm happy he's now joined us!
"He will be very welcomed into the group and we will do everything to make sure he feels at home and comfortable so he can do what he has been doing for Nottingham Forest. I'm very happy he has signed and I wish him all the best."
Joelinton played the second-half of United's behind closed doors clash on Saturday, finding the net as he marked his return from injury in style.
The midfield powerhouse missed the business end of the campaign before the summer, picking up a knee problem during Newcastle's Champions League run-in.
After stepping up his summer training in Brazil and spending time at former club, Sport Recife, Joelinton has returned to Tyneside fighting fit and is relishing the chance to regain his spot in the middle of Howe's side.
"I feel good now," he admitted. "I've had a long time to recover. The start of it was very difficult as, personally, I was very frustrated about the injury at the end of the season.
"There was a lot of important games and I could have been with the team. I was very sad but I knew I had to step out and recover because of my knee as I couldn't help the team in the way I wanted. It was the best decision and I had enough time to recover and come back, starting with the guys in pre-season.
"My knee is good, I feel fully fit and happy. Injuries are not what you want but they can happen in football sometimes and you just have to deal with them and do everything you can to be fit. I now hope to have a season without injuries."