Anthony Elanga reveals what Elliot Anderson told him that convinced him to join Newcastle United

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Newcastle United’s latest major signing Anthony Elanga has revealed what Elliot Anderson told him before agreeing on a move.

Eddie Howe has been crying out for a new right-winger for years on Tyneside. Many thought that the Magpies finally had their long-term star in Yankuba Minteh after his bright loan spell at Feyenoord for the 2023/24 campaign, but the youngster had to leave the club due to serious PSR concerns.

Newcastle United finally have their quality right-winger thanks to Anthony Elanga agreeing a five-year deal to join from Nottingham Forest.

While Jacob Murphy enjoyed a brilliant 2024/25 campaign, there would have naturally been concerns over whether he could continue the same form he put in next season, especially with Champions League football on the cards.

Instead, Murphy will likely play as a backup to Elanga next season, though he is still seen as an important member of the squad.

There was a sense of doubt over whether Elanga would become a Newcastle player or not, but it turns out Howe got some help from Elliot Anderson, a die-hard Newcastle fan.

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Elliot Anderson told Anthony Elanga to join Newcastle United

You can take the boy out of Newcastle, but you certainly cannot take Newcastle out of the boy. Anderson was one of the few graduates from Newcastle’s academy, becoming a regular member of Howe’s squad from the 2022/23 campaign.

Sadly, Anderson was a victim of Newcastle’s serious PSR troubles and was sold to Nottingham Forest for around £35million. However, the fans do not hold a grudge against him for his move. In fact, Newcastle fans applauded Anderson when he came back to St James’ Park in February.

It now appears that Anderson has been in Elanga’s ear, telling him about how good a move Newcastle is for him.

“To be fair, when I found out about the interest, Elliot and Chris (Wood) both spoke to me,” Elanga said during a fan event in Singapore.

“Elliot did push it, he did push me to come. Obviously, he still loves Newcastle so much; he was at the (Carabao Cup) final last year so I took his word for it about how much he loves the club and how much the club will help me develop as a player.

“So to take the opportunity to come here, I really want to develop and become the best player I can possibly become here.”

Anthony Elanga is ready for one big game at Newcastle United next season

Elanga will undoubtedly be Newcastle’s first-choice right-winger next season, with the 23-year-old set to play in a lightning-fast front three including Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak if he decides to stay on Tyneside.

Next season should be special, with at least four European away days in the offing. However, there is one game which sticks out amongst the rest – the Tyne-Wear derby. Newcastle will play Sunderland in a Premier League fixture for the first time since 2016, with their first meeting at the Stadium of Light pencilled in for December.

For many players, it will be their first taste of a Tyne-Wear derby, while others experienced it during the FA Cup third round in 2024, which saw Newcastle run out 3-0 winners.

“I like derbies, and I’ve heard a lot about this one. Elanga said.

“So it’s gonna be special to be involved in. It’s going to be an amazing, amazing game. I hope we can put a good game on for everybody.