Former Newcastle United prospect Kevin Mbabu has revealed the moment he knew he had to leave the Magpies.
The Swiss international arrived on Tyneside at the height of the so-called 'French Revolution' in January 2013, and was tipped as one for the future after previously impressing in trials at Manchester United and Arsenal.
Injuries thrust Mbabu into an unexpected Premier League debut two years later against defending Premier League champions Chelsea, and the full-back shone on his first St James' Park outing.
However, the defender found further opportunities to impress limited and decided to seal a permanent return to Switzerland in 2017 following an initial loan spell with Young Boys.
It was Steve McClaren who handed Mbabu his black-and-white debut, but the head coach was sacked and Rafa Benitez was unable to prevent Newcastle slipping to relegation in the 2015/16 campaign.
The full-back hoped a season in the Championship would see the Magpies' young stars handed a chance.
However, the arrival of USA international DeAndre Yedlin told the future Wolfsburg star that he would have to seal a St James' Park exit.
Mbabu told The Athletic: "I thought [Daryl] Janmaat and others might leave and that young players would get more opportunities.
"But DeAndre Yedlin signed and it was clear they wanted experience. Unfortunately, I knew I had to leave."
