Antonio Cordero has given his first interview since agreeing to join Newcastle United.
Antonio Cordero believes by joining Newcastle United he has come to ‘one of the best places in the world’.
The 18-year-old will officially join Newcastle as a free agent on July 1 — subject to completion of the registration process with the Premier League and the Football Association, as well as obtaining a UK visa — after turning down a new contract at La Liga 2 side Malaga.
Born in Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Cordero had youth spells at Cadiz, Sevilla, Real Betis and Malaga before signing his first professional deal with the latter in 2022. He made 60 appearances for Malaga and scored seven goals, including the goal that clinched promotion from Spain’s third-tier last year.
Antonio Cordero on why he joined Newcastle United
Cordero received approaches from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Porto but agreed to join the Magpies following a visit to Tyneside earlier this year. Asked why he decided to move to Newcastle, Cordero said: “It’s truly an honour to be here, truly a pleasure. I am a person who likes to aspire high and likes complicated and tough journeys, and why not come to one of the best places in the world to do it?
“I’m aware that it’s a big step and that’s one of the reasons I’m here. I am happy to do it and have a great desire to get going already.”
Cordero claims to have followed Newcastle “for a long time” and is a big fan of the style of play head coach Eddie Howe has adopted. He is also encouraged by Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
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“I’m very aware and I’ve been following for a long time,” Cordero added. “I like what the coach and the staff are doing, the style of play of the team - that’s why I have such a great desire to get going straight away and to get to know everyone.
“It’s a place that I’ve been following for many years, both the club and the city. I had a great desire to come and I’m very, very happy to be here. I was super motivated and excited seeing the team qualify in the last match and for that reason, I came with even more desire to be here.”
Newcastle United line-up Antonio Cordero loan move
Howe won’t welcome Cordero into his first-team squad straight away after outgoing sporting director Paul Mitchell revealed plans to send the winger out on loan next season. Dutch giants Ajax are reportedly leading the chase.
Newcastle adopted a similar approach with Yankuba Minteh, who they signed from Danish side Odense Boldklub for £7million before quickly loaning him to Feyenoord for the 2023-24 campaign.
“I’m a very ambitious person and I don’t have specific numbers or things I want to specify,” said Corder. “I just want to go for all of them and try to achieve the maximum. I’ve got some vacations here and there but for me, honestly, I’d rather it be done quickly so I can get going already.”
Longer-term, Cordero, who has signed a five-year contract, has set his sights on winning the lot with the Magpie. He said: “I want to win all the possible trophies in the long run. I am aware that the hard work has to be in order to achieve that.”
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