Newcastle United's Matz Sels gets to a cross ahead of Preston North End's Simon Makienok
Matz Sels is still remembered as an unfortunate Newcastle United flop but is continuing to enjoy a remarkable redemption story at Nottingham Forest. The 33-year-old has rebuilt his career following his disappointing stint on Tyneside and now commands the respect of Nuno Espirito Santo as he holds down a No 1 spot in the Premier League.
Sels still harbours regrets over his previous spell in England but this week admitted he holds no feelings of malice towards Newcastle, despite lasting just one season at St James' Park under Rafa Benitez.
"I have no feelings of revenge at all,” the goalkeeper told Dutch outlet Het Niuewsblad when asked about his failed stint between the sticks.
“I was still very young at Newcastle. My first adventure abroad was not easy, but sometimes such an experience makes you stronger.”
In total, Sels would play just 14 times for the Magpies - and four times for the club's under-21 side - before departing for good, joining Strasbourg in 2018. After building his career back up from near-zero, the Belgian stopper is now eyeing a Champions League spot with Forest after a memorable season at the City Ground.
Speaking to Belgian outlet De Morgen in November, he said: "Why it is working out now [with Nottingham Forest] and not at Newcastle United eight years ago? It was my first time abroad [at Newcastle United] and the start was very difficult.
“That was one of my biggest regrets. I wasn’t able to turn around that negative perception back then. I don’t look back on that period with resentment because every football player has a period like that. Something like that makes you stronger."