Andros Townsend has admitted he wanted a 'better exit' from Tottenham after completing his £12m move to Newcastle.
The England international signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with Steve McClaren's side yesterday, which sealed the end of his career at White Hart Lane.
The 24-year-old, who progressed through Tottenham's academy, was previously seen as one of the most exciting young players at Spurs but fell out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino.
Townsend was restricted to just three Premier League appearances this season and found himself demoted to the Under-21 squad after a spat with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner in November.
Given the winger had initially planned to spend the bulk of his career in north London, Townsend has conceded he wanted to secure a more amicable departure.
"It was emotional and sad to leave," he told the Sun.
"Growing up a Spurs fan and being at the club since the age of eight, I planned to spend most of my career there.
"I would have liked a better exit."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Been an absolute pleasure playing with the u21 boys the last 3 or 4 months! <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://t.co/twToa07moe" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3166941-https://t.co/twToa07moe" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/twToa07moe</a> — andros townsend (@andros_townsend) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/andros_townsend/status/691767173992300544" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3166941-https://twitter.com/andros_townsend/status/691767173992300544" data-vars-event-id="c23">January 25, 2016</a>
Although the decision to leave Spurs proved to be a difficult one Townsend is excited to get started at St. James' Park and play for a manager who has faith in his ability.
"Now I just have to try to build a career here," he added.
"It is important to have a manager that believes in my abilities and knows what I can bring to the team."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not many people can say they've played 100games for the club they grew up supportin Forever grateful <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3166941-https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial" data-vars-event-id="c23">@SpursOfficial</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://t.co/hUB5icZUJO" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3166941-https://t.co/hUB5icZUJO" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/hUB5icZUJO</a> — andros townsend (@andros_townsend) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/andros_townsend/status/692419423571935232" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3166941-https://twitter.com/andros_townsend/status/692419423571935232" data-vars-event-id="c23">January 27, 2016</a>
