Danny Rose has revealed he pleaded with his agent to make a move to Newcastle United a reality this month.
The talks to sign Rose have been ongoing ever since Jetro Willems twisted his knee and ended his season in the 1-0 win against Chelsea.
Despite being out of favour at Spurs and suggestions he would be frozen out after a fallout with Jose Mourinho, Rose did not need to be sold the idea of travelling to Tyneside.
Rose said: "I did not need to be convinced.
"I was watching Newcastle play Chelsea and unfortunately Jetro Willems got injured.
"Afterwards I heard the commentator say they'd need a left-sided player.
"Straight away I called my agent and said: 'I want to go - can you try to make it happen'.
"That's literally how it all started."
The England left-back may have played for Newcastle's rivals Sunderland but he insists he sees the Magpies as a big club.
Rose added: "Since I was 19 I always said to a friend, outside the top six, there are three teams I'd love to play for.
"Purely off the fanbase and how passionate they are.
"Newcastle was one of those teams.
"I can't apologise for that because without Sunderland I wouldn't be a Premier League player or England international or here with you today.
"When I was there I lived on the Quayside in Newcastle.
"I love Newcastle, I love the people and love northerners."
Rose also said he'd been in touch with two of his former Tottenham team-mates to get a feel for United.
Rose, speaking to the club's TV channel, said: "I messaged DeAndre Yedlin (former Spurs team-mate) to get a feel for it.
"He spoke so highly of the manager and the lads.
"I was ringing Nabil Bentaleb and speaking to him and he's settling in nicely so I can't wait to get going."
Rose is confident he will settle down quickly on Tyneside.
He added: "I'm a northener and it will be nice to go to a decent chip shop again!
"It's always been a passion to play up north again.
"I am over the moon to be playing for Newcastle. I feel very fortunate."
