Jamal Lewis believes he can become a 'top' Premier League player at Newcastle United after the Northern Ireland international jumped at the chance to join 'such a big club'.
Lewis was a man in demand last summer after Norwich City were relegated to the Championship.
Norwich rejected an an opening bid from Liverpool, who decided to instead move for Olympiacos left-back Kostas Tsimikas, before Newcastle's subsequent £13.5m offer was accepted.
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Lewis made an encouraging start with the Magpies, but the full-back later contracted COVID and struggled with a hernia issue in his first season at the club.
The 23-year-old is looking to put those struggles behind him and now has his sights set on etching himself in 'history' and 'making sure this club and this city enjoy their football'.
"I know I'm Premier League standard, especially when I've got all cylinders firing," he told the Insight Podcast.
"I know I can be a top Premier League player, a top Premier League left-back, so it was just like, 'Have I done enough to do so?'
"Once you get the profile and attention, people actually putting in bids, you realise, 'OK, cool. I am meant for this level and let's just see where it takes me'.
"Obviously, there was Liverpool and thankfully Newcastle came in and I just felt it was the right fit for me.
"It's such a big club and a great city, and I just wanted to grab that opportunity with both hands. That's what I did.
"Norwich are a great club. They will allow you to take that step forward if they feel like it's beneficial for you and the club because, at the end of the day, I still had three years left on my contract and they could have easily just said, 'No. You're not leaving'.
"They see a pathway there and they allowed me to do it and I'm forever grateful for the people at the club that let me do that. I'm a big fan of Norwich City for life."
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