Islam Slimani: 'Newcastle United a great club'

Islam Slimani has revealed that he turned down "a lot of clubs" to join Newcastle United on loan last month.

Slimani made the move from Leicester City on January 31, and the Algerian will spend the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign on loan with the Magpies.

The 29-year-old has branded Newcastle "a very famous club", and also name-checked former Toon forward Alan Shearer when discussing his reasons for linking up with Rafael Benitez's side.

"I knew a lot about Newcastle, Alan Shearer, I'd also seen the film Goal," Chronicle Live quotes Slimani as saying. "It's a great club, a very famous club, world-renowned players like Alan Shearer .

"I'm here to give my best to fight for my team. I hope I can show what I'm capable of. I think Newcastle's a big club and it's a good choice. A lot of clubs got in touch but I'm pretty sure I made the right choice.

"I'm here to support the team and have a good second half to the season. At Leicester, I had a good time there and a good season, but it was always about injuries and getting injured but now it's about Newcastle.

"Rafa phoned me and we had a good chat there was a good feeling between us and it's important to get a call like this, to know that you're wanted by a big coach like him. I was sure I was going to leave to start afresh. I wanted to go."

Slimani could make his Newcastle debut in Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester United.