Yoane Wissa reflected on an "amazing journey" at **Brentford**after he wrapped up a move to Newcastle United. The relationship ended tensely, but respect remains on the part of the player.
‘I’ve got a lot of love’
Wissa was still taken aback by the fact that he had secured a switch to the North-East on deadline day.
“It felt different. It felt so strange. I still can't believe it because it was a long moment. You can't imagine what I've been through. My desire to come here. It feels strange. I wait for the moment when I'm going to come through the tunnel to see the fans, look at them and say this is real. The move I wanted happened.”
Newcastle have let go of a prolific striker who kicked up a fuss in Alexander Isak. As fate would have it, Wissa was involved in a similar saga in West London.
He claimed that the Bees were "unduly standing in my way" as Keith Andrews was adamant about keeping the player on the books for the new campaign.
“A lot of communication. Communication open talks back and forth but always respectful. They had the argument. I got mine but the most important thing was that it was respectful with all of them. That's why I kept myself fit, training, see the guys around every single day and just wait for a right moment to move.”
Yet, he has no ill towards a club that took a bet on his ability from promoted Ligue 2 outfit Lorient.
*"A wonderful journey. Even for this deal to happen it was quite difficult because I had a story before to join **Brentford*but that's why I've got a lot of respect for them even though I am a Newcastle player.”
From his first league goal in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Liverpool, he has fond memories of his old club.
“I've got a lot of love so it's still going to be the same, so I enjoy every moment the first goal I remember the first goal obviously the last one, but it's been tough. It’s been competitive, a lot of up and down.”
Particularly, he looks back at his last year with the Bees. The exit of Ivan Toney to Saudi Arabia allowed him to link up with Bryan Mbeumo, and the striker slotted away 18 Premier League goals for the team.
*“I think we should remember last year what we've done what we created it's been such amazing journey. I remember lot of things, a lot of things, the partnership with Bryan and it was one of the best in **Brentford*history, with the communication with the fans, the community, with the fans and of all the players.”
He relished a role of responsibility last season, and he now hopes to mimic his form at St. James' Park.
“I was one of the leaders so I had to step forward about it spoke a lot with Thomas Frank about this so I was quite happy to take the that role on my shoulders but the most important part is lot of goals lot of winning I think we create something crazy last year I think we broke the record of the goals etc.”