Newcastle United have finally revealed which shirt number Anthony Elanga will take after completing a £55million deal from Nottingham Forest.
After lots of speculation since he joined, the club have finally revealed which number Anthony Elanga will wear on Tyneside.
The winger completed a £55million move to Newcastle United earlier in July, ending Eddie Howe’s long wait for a quality right-winger. Elanga registered 17 goal involvements in the Premier League last season, and is eager to bring more success to the Magpies after their historic Carabao Cup win in March this year.
There were many squad numbers for Elanga to choose from, including former winger Miguel Almiron’s 24 and the 36 soon to be dropped by Sean Longstaff, who is set to join Leeds United this summer.
Instead, Elanga has been handed the No.20 shirt at Newcastle, and the club have now confirmed another new squad number for the player who previously wore the Swede’s new number.
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Lewis Hall quietly handed new squad number at Newcastle United
Before his season-ending injury, Lewis Hall was up there with Newcastle’s best players of the season. At such a young age, the defender has cemented his place in Howe’s starting XI and will likely remain a key player on Tyneside for years to come.
Hall’s season was derailed due to an ankle injury, which forced him to miss the Carabao Cup final. However, Hall is back on the grass and is due back ahead of the first Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa.
20 was Hall’s number at Newcastle, and with Elanga now taking it the club have confirmed that Hall will wear the No.3 on his back from next season.
The number was not worn by anyone last season following Paul Dummett’s departure, but Hall will now be bringing back the number at left-back.
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Anthony Elanga reacts to wearing the No.20 at Newcastle United
Elanga has shared his excitement at being a Newcastle player since joining, and recently thanked Alexander Isak for helping him settle in with the squad.
Now he has his number, shirts are sure to be flying off the shelves with his name on them. Before Hall, the No.20 had been worn by the likes of Chris Wood, Florian Lejuene, Florian Thauvin and Remy Cabella. Those players had mixed success on Tyneside, so fans will be hoping Elanga can make the number one that will be remembered on Tyneside.
Speaking to newcastleunited.com about his shirt number, Elanga said: “I like number 20 and I really want to create history with that number. I’m really looking forward to wearing it.
“Pulling on a black and white shirt with the number 20 on my back I think is going to be amazing – whether it’s long-sleeved or short-sleeved!
“It’s going to be memorable for me, something I’ll forever hold in my heart.”
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