Newcastle United new boy Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed that he was delighted to pull on the Magpies shirt for the first time following his debut recently.
The Netherlands international, a £14.5m signing from PSV Eindhoven, made his bow with a 21-minute cameo in Sunday morning's 1-0 win away to Sacramento Republic.
The win at Bonney Park saw Massadio Haidara given a straight red card, but the 24-year-old was happy with his contribution.
"It feels good to wear the shirt. I waited a few days for my first game but it felt really good," he told the club's official website. "I came on when we were 1-0 up but we had got the red card just before, so I knew the final part of the game was going to be tough.
"It was a good result. In the first half it was difficult because they had a man free in midfield between the lines. But we played well in the second half and then when the red card came we stayed compact and saw the game out well.
"You always play to win matches and if you get into a winning habit then it is good. The performances matter and normally with good performances come good results. We have to learn from every game at this stage of the season though, whatever the result."
James Kiffe's second-half own goal was enough for Steve McClaren's men in the second leg of their American tour.
Shane Callaghan
