Former Newcastle United Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey Cites Lifestyle as Key Reason for Move to Dubai
Jonjo Shelvey,the former Newcastle United midfielder,has clarified his recent move to Dubai was not motivated by financial gain,but by a desire for a specific lifestyle. The 33-year-old spent seven years at st. James’ Park, becoming a key figure for the club and even captaining the side from time to time, before departing for the UAE.
Shelvey emphasized his deep affection for Newcastle, recalling driving 12 hours from Swansea through heavy traffic upon receiving the initial call about a potential transfer in order to complete his medical and finalize the signing. “I had experienced playing against Newcastle at St James’ Park and you get a real buzz, but you never understand how big the club is until you are there,” he said.
Despite opportunities elsewhere, Shelvey stated the northeast was “the only place” in the UK he would want to live, highlighting the unique connection he felt with the club and its supporters. “You will not find love at a football club like I found at Newcastle,with how they take to their players and how much they back you,” he added.
Shelvey’s time with Newcastle saw him through both relegation in 2016 and an immediate return to the Premier League, playing a crucial role in establishing the club as a consistent top-flight team. He specifically pointed to his goal against Leeds United approximately three and a half years ago as a pivotal moment, joking, “If I had not scored that, the club would have gone down!” while acknowledging a fortunate deflection contributed to the goal. He also credited the goal as a turning point in Eddie Howe’s managerial reign.
Addressing the debate surrounding Newcastle’s ability to attract top talent compared to clubs in Manchester and London, Shelvey believes the atmosphere and support at St. James’ Park are unparalleled. “There’s this debate… but until you go there, you don’t understand what it dose to you,” he explained. “If players are going to listen to this, it’s a no-brainer to go there and play football.”
Shelvey remains “honoured” to have represented Newcastle United and believes the club offers something special that isn’t always apparent from the outside.
