Newcastle United star Malick Thiaw has insisted it isn't grim up north - admitting he is falling in love with life in the North East already after his summer move from AC Milan.

Thiaw swapped Europe's capital of fashion Milan and nights in front of the Duomo Cathedral for the Bigg Market and Northumberland Street - and insists he has enjoyed a warm Geordie welcome.

Last summer, Joao Pedro snubbed the move to St James' Park because he preferred the London lifestyle and signed for Chelsea, while traditionally Newcastle have missed out on a clutch of foreign stars who were attracted to the bright lights of the capital.

Thiaw has admitted he was given conflicting advice about moving to Tyneside but has now been wooed by walks along the River Tyne and the nature life in nearby Northumberland.

When asked his opening impressions on Tyneside, Thiaw said: "It's nice. It's nice!

"I think when rumours first came out (that Thiaw would arrive at Newcastle), a lot of people told me otherwise, they told me like Newcastle is...