HE might have joined a club that was relegated last season, but Matt Ritchie claims the positive vibes surrounding Newcastle United will play a major role in their attempts to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Since their relegation was confirmed in May, the Magpies have successfully held on to manager Rafael Benitez, embarked on a number of popular community initiatives and spent more than £27m on signing four players.

Jesus Gamez became the fourth of those additions yesterday when he penned a two-year deal to complete a £1m move from Atletico Madrid, and the Spanish defender could be joined by Grant Hanley and Isaac Hayden in the next few days if Newcastle can successfully push through deals for the Blackburn centre-half and Arsenal youngster.

Hanley’s switch would be a permanent transfer, but the Magpies are considering a season-long loan for Hayden, who spent last season on loan at Hull City.

Ritchie’s capture has been the most surprising so far, with the winger having been Bournemouth’s best player for much of last season, but while eyebrows were raised when the Scotland international chose to drop into the Championship rather than remain on the south coast, he is convinced his new employers are on the brink of something special.

“I think when you get relegated, it’s important that the next season you come back in and that’s wiped from the memory, because you have to be positive,” said Ritchie, who will be part of the Newcastle squad that travels to Ireland later today for a week-long training camp. “If you think positively, positive things will happen.

“The group seems very positive for the start of the season, very determined and everyone certainly knows what’s expected of us. So we’ll be doing all we can to make sure that’s (promotion) going to happen.”

Ritchie’s £12m move to the North-East was confirmed last week, with the 26-year-old having effectively replaced Andros Townsend, who joined Crystal Palace after Alan Pardew triggered the £10.5m release clause in his contract.

A number of clubs expressed an interest when Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe indicated a willingness to sell him, but it did not take him long to opt for a move to the North-East.

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The opportunity to work with Rafael Benitez was a key factor in his decision, with the Spaniard having won him over from the moment they first met.

“I first met Rafa when I came up, and there’s an aura about him, for sure,” said Ritchie. “He’s a manager who’s won nearly everything in football.

“He’s got an aura around him and I’m really looking forward to working with him. I’m sure that he’s got different coaching methods to what I’m used to so I’m sure I can learn.

“It’s flattering when someone like that in football watches you. He’s obviously seen you play, he must have watched me in games. So yeah, it’s flattering to know that someone with his knowledge in football rates you.”

Ritchie boasts extensive experience of the Championship, having scored 11 league goals and claimed 13 assists as Bournemouth won the second-tier title two seasons ago. Dwight Gayle, who made a £10m move from Crystal Palace, has also spent a large amount of time in the Football League, and Benitez has clearly targeted players who will not be surprised by the challenges that lie in wait next season.

“I think he’s got a plan,” said Ritchie. “He knows what he wants and I agree with his plan. I think you need a mixture of quality, hard work and togetherness in the Championship.

“You need a bit of everything, and I think that’s what the gaffer’s building here, in training, with what I’ve seen so far. We’ve already got all of that, so hopefully we can have a real successful season.”

Gamez has never played in the Championship, but with the defender having turned 31 in April, his arrival nevertheless represents a marked departure from Newcastle’s previous transfer policy.

It is the first time the Magpies have signed a player over 30 since Pardew recruited Shefki Kuqi on loan in the wake of Andy Carroll’s departure, and the first time they have paid money for someone in their 30s since Antoine Sibierski moved from Manchester City in 2006.

Gamez, who made more than 250 senior appearances for Malaga before making a €4m move to Atletico Madrid in 2014, is a right-back who can also play on the left-hand side of the back four, and his arrival is expected to hasten the departure of Daryl Janmaat, with Juventus and Napoli currently leading the race for the Holland international.

“I am really delighted to be here,” said Gamez. “And I am really looking forward to this project and bringing Newcastle back to where they belong in the Premier League.


“My representative told me that there was an interest and strong interest from Newcastle. I was considering my options and it was the right time to leave Atletico Madrid. This is a really exciting project.

“It was not a difficult decision because considering the type of player I am, I think I’ll be a really good match for English football. I really wanted the opportunity to play in England.”

Newcastle have strengthened their under-21 squad with the signing of forward Yasin Ben El-Mhanni and defender Stuart Findlay.

El-Mhanni was released by Chelsea at the end of last season, while Findlay, a Scotland Under-21 international, left Celtic at the start of the summer.