Allan Saint-Maximin arrived at Newcastle with a reputation for being difficult - but he's found kindred spirits on Tyneside.
Saint-Maximin has been a talisman during a year of purgatory at St James' Park, his mid-winter suffering mirroring the club's desperate tumbling into a relegation battle.
His return coincided with Newcastle's resurgence and on Wednesday night, Saint-Maximin was the man who sent a surge of electricity through the 10,000 fans in attendance with his positive, probing runs.
But it is a feature of Mike Ashley's time at Newcastle that such talent can feel transient. Just as many fear Joe Willock will not return after his remarkable loan spell, Saint-Maximin's eye-catching performances since Spring have heightened fears he may be picked off one day.
It is a possibility that cannot be ruled out. Although his frequent absences from the team depress his potential to the very biggest teams, the scale of his talent deserves better than relegation battles.
Saint-Maximin said as much in a mid-week interview with Talksport, speaking in terms most Newcastle fans would recognise as he said the club must sign more players like Willock (permanently) and aspire to top ten finishes and trophies.
The implication was also clear: as much as he wants the club to show ambition, he must himself.
But - and here was the kicker - it was expressed with respect for the club that pay his wages and framed as if he wanted to aspire to more with a Newcastle shirt on his back.
This was not the naked ambition of Moussa Sissoko, another fine French player who blotted his copybook by never concealing his desire to play for a bigger club than Newcastle. No, this was a player who has embedded himself in the city, sits on social media and seems to understand what United fans hope for their club.
So when a fan replied to the Talksport interview by admitting it sounded concerning in regards to his future, Saint-Maximin's reply summed up why he has the respect of supporters.
He replied: "I truly love and respect Newcastle fans, that's why I think it's important to be honest."
No United fan will enjoy hearing a star man inject some doubt into the narrative around his future but those words sum up why Tyneside has embraced him.
The hope is that Newcastle - through a takeover or progress of another sort - can keep up with its adopted son.
