BSC Young Boys star Kevin Mbabu admits regrets over Newcastle move | OneFootball

Kevin Mbabu was just 17 years old when he signed for Newcastle from Swiss side Servette in a €1m move.

However, Mbabu’s gamble didn’t quite pay off the way he expected, as he played just five times for the first team during an injury-riddled three-and-a-half seasons with the Magpies.

He joined Young Boys on loan for the 2016-17 season and signed a permanent deal with the Swiss Super League club in summer 2017 for a mere €120,000.

Ahead of their 2-1 win over Juventus, Mbabu told Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung that he doesn’t think his young body was ready for Newcastle training.

“I wasn’t even 18 and left Servette for Newcastle. I also rejected Arsenal. England was not a success for me, but I learned a lot there.

“The experience of that time is part of what has become of me. The experience of the past is part of me.

“The choice of Newcastle was not very good. But it helps me today. Mentally, I was tested enormously.

“I was injured in England for almost two of the three and a half years, and I had muscle problems all the time. Six, seven injuries.

“Physically, my body was not ready for the intensity in Newcastle training. I did not have the best lifestyle and was too busy with too many things.

“These can be reasons for injuries. Today, I try not to repeat the mistakes. Development shows me that I am not on the wrong track.

“My dream is to return to the Premier League, but in life, sometimes it does not work the way you want. Every way is different.”

Mbabe is definitely on the right track, as he made his international debut in September – starting in Switzerland’s 6-0 UEFA Nations League rout of Iceland.

With many big clubs interested in the 23-year-old, it’s clear that Mbabe is one that got away.