I loved [Real Madrid]. It was a real experience, playing with a great team. One of the first questions I'm often asked is 'What was Madrid like?' It's got that mystique about it. It's a magical place and a magical team, and everything about it is great.

A new club is like having a new girlfriend – you don't have feelings straight away

To stay in the game, you have to stay in the game.

My Dad was briefly an Everton player and I used to follow them as a boy.

Clubs don't like their players going off to play international matches and you can see a scenario where they eventually start to make it more difficult for international sides to call up players.

The better the opposition put in front of you, the better your team plays.

All Newcastle fans need to know is that I will be giving everything for their cause now.