CHRISTIAN ATSU has heard all about life in the North-East from a former Sunderland man he will look to out-do in the dancing stakes if he scores for Newcastle United.

The 24-year-old became the first Ghana international to wear a Magpies shirt in competitive action when he emerged as a substitute with half an hour remaining at Queens Park Rangers in midweek.

He could have scored too, while he had a significant role to play in Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goal during the 6-0 victory. Had Atsu found the net himself, the travelling band of 3,000 supporters might have been treated to some other nifty footwork from the African.

During Asamoah Gyan’s time at Sunderland – he spent a year on Wearside before heading to Al-Ain in September 2011 – he became a popular figure for the way he played with a smile on his face and celebrations after his ten Premier League goals.

Gyan, adored in Ghana, has been a team-mate of Atsu’s on the international stage and he would enjoy having a similar impact across the rivers Tyne and Wear in front of the Gallowgate – and offer up his own moves.

“I know Asamoah was in Sunderland and he played very well there, he is a great player,” said Atsu. “He is across in the Dubai sun now! We are good friends.

“He is a great guy. He always loves to dance and in Ghana that is the culture, to dance. We always look to make ourselves happy and to keep the spirit going.

“I spoke to him before I joined and he told me it was very cold in the North-East! I am hoping that I will score then you will see if I have a dance.”

Atsu has joined his eighth club in five years, so is hoping the switch to Newcastle will lead to greater security. His selection problems started after leaving Porto for Chelsea for £3.5m three years ago, when he never made a single appearance for them.

He has had loan stints with Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga too, but he has ambitions to become a success in England. Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has provided him with that.

Atsu said: “It’s another chance for me at a big club like Newcastle to prove myself here and also to get going, I need to play a lot of games. It has been difficult for me in the past two seasons, it’s a great opportunity to prove myself.

“My target is to stay in England and I know it will not be easy. I will work really hard to secure it. I wanted to stay here and I was delighted a big club like Newcastle were really interested in me, I couldn’t turn down this offer.

“I have not played many games, I went to Everton and it didn’t work out well. After that I went to Bournemouth, where it was also difficult, so I had to go to Spain. Spain was a lot better for me. The blame is always on me. I have to take responsibility. This is another chance for me to play for another club.”