Jamaal Lascelles has admitted that he feels like a real Newcastle United player following his first set of training sessions at the club.
The 21-year-old signed for the Magpies last season in a double move from Nottingham Forest with keeper Karl Darlow, but he immediately returned to the City Ground on a season-long loan.
Lascelles has confessed that he is eager to get his debut campaign with the club underway under new head coach Steve McClaren.
He told the club's official website: "It's been excellent so far. Everyone has been really welcoming, the staff are great and even though I have only been in a day or so, I feel really settled already.
"Training has been really hard and intense. We did running and fitness testing on the first day, followed by a lot of ball work in the afternoon - possession and passing drills. It's been tough but everyone looks really sharp. I made sure I kept in shape over the summer.
"I only came up here for one day last year - to sign - and then was back to Forest straight away. But now I properly feel like a Newcastle United player. I can't wait to get going, to really get stuck in to training and to play some matches."
Lascelles made 62 appearances for Forest in his four years at the club, scoring four goals.
