Former Newcastle United defender Jamal Lewis is already earning praise just days after signing for Preston North End.
While Callum Wilson joined West Ham United on a free transfer, Jamal Lewis was forced to wait after his Newcastle United exit.
Life as a free agent can be a little uncertain, as you never quite know when the next opportunity will emerge.
Lewis spent the first two months of the season as a free agent, but he has now returned to action.
Preston North End have pounced to sign Lewis on a free transfer after multiple injuries to left-footed defenders.
Former Newcastle United defender Jamal Lewis earning praise
Lewis only joined PNE on Friday, but he made his first appearance off the bench just 24 hours later.
The Northern Ireland international helped North End beat Southampton 2-0 on the road as their strong start continues.
Lewis hasn’t even been at Deepdale for a week, but he has already earned real praise.
PNE assistant manager Stuart McCall has told BBC Radio Lancashire that he feels Lewis is a ‘machine’.
McCall admitted his concern over Lewis, given that he had been without a club for a number of months.
The former Newcastle left-back has really caught the eye, though, with McCall praising him for the way in which he ‘glides’ with the ball.
“When you bring in somebody this late, two or three months into the season, or a bit longer, actually, and they haven’t had any football, you worry for them,” said McCall.
“He’s an absolute machine. He’s an athlete, he covers the ground, I think that’s his strength, his running ability. He glides with the ball, so he’s fitted in really well. He’s looked good, yeah.
“Over the years, we’ve had a few come in late, who haven’t signed contracts, and he’s been in the best shape I’ve ever had anybody come into the club at this late stage, definitely,” he added.
Where did it all go wrong for Jamal Lewis at Newcastle United?
Newcastle fans were excited when Lewis arrived from Norwich City in 2020.
Left-back had been a problem position for the Magpies, and taking Danny Rose on loan didn’t solve anything.
Loanee Jetro Willems didn’t return after his ACL injury, and Newcastle invested in Lewis.
Liverpool offered £10million to sign Lewis in August 2020, but Norwich rejected that offer, as noted by BBC Sport.
Newcastle pounced with a £15million deal for Lewis, as reported by Sky Sports, marking something of a coup after Liverpool’s interest.
Sadly, Lewis just couldn’t quite handle the jump from Norwich to Newcastle, and his first season was littered with poor performances.
Lewis couldn’t find his best form under Steve Bruce, and he was ultimately left out in the cold just months after PIF’s 2021 takeover.
A groin injury hampered Lewis early in the Eddie Howe era, and the Magpies brought in Matt Targett during the first PIF-led transfer window.
Lewis was left out of Newcastle’s 25-man squad for the second half of the 2021-22 campaign, and that was pretty much that.
Lewis played just four times in the 2022-23 season before loan spells at Watford and Sao Paulo.
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle released Lewis last summer, and he is now looking to seize this opportunity to get his career back on track.
Injuries, poor form, a takeover, the new direction of Newcastle; Lewis was impacted by a number of factors at St James’ Park and will sadly go down as a disappointing signing.
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