Newcastle United defender Mathieu Debuchy has declared that the club's French contingent has helped him adapt quickly to life in the North-East.
Debuchy joined Newcastle in January and has quickly become a regular first-team feature at St James' Park.
The 27-year-old believes that Newcastle are a huge club and insisted that there is a strong spirit in the squad that can help them achieve big things in the future.
He told The Independent: "With all the French players arriving, settling in became much more of a simple task. I've been given a warm welcome here. Yohan Cabaye and I have known each other for a long time, so it was a great help having him.
"I was very, very happy Newcastle came back in for me. This is a big club. There is absolutely no problem between the French players and the English players.
"We all get on really well. That is important the spirit is strong. We can talk French where we want, but it is better for us to make an effort in English. I am getting lessons three times a week, and I can already understand Steven Taylor."
The French international has made nine appearances for Alan Pardew's side so far in 2013.