Jamaal Lascelles admits he was “really sad” to see Jonjo Shelvey end his eight-year association with Newcastle United.
The 30-year-old was a surprise deadline day departure after the midfielder opted to join Nottingham Forest on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Magpies head coach Eddie Howe wanted Shelvey to stay at St James’ Park but similar to Chris Wood’s situation, respected the player’s wishes to secure a longer-term contract and a greater chance of regular game time.
Shelvey left United on exemplary terms. After finalising his transfer to the City Ground, the former Liverpool man immediately travelled back up the North East to watch his old teammates seal their place in the Carabao Cup final.
After the game, Shelvey went into the home dressing room and gave a speech, a moment Lascelles described as “poignant.”
“I was really sad to see Jonjo Shelvey leave the club on Tuesday,” the club’s skipper wrote in his programme notes. “He came into the dressing room after the game to say his goodbyes and he did a little speech, and it was a poignant moment.
“We’ve both been part of the group who were there in the Championship and managed to get back into the Premier League. We’ve been on the journey together and he’s our vice-captain for quite a few years so he’s going to be a big miss.
“He’s been a great player for us and he’s such a loyal, trustworthy person. We will be keeping in touch and I wish him all the best - I’m sure he will do really well at Nottingham Forest.”
Lascelles and Shelvey were teammates for seven years at Newcastle, with both players instrumental behind the scenes, namely during the difficult times under former owner Mike Ashley.
As well as helping keep United in the Premier League, the pair formed a key part of the Rafa Benitez squad that achieved immediate promotion back to the top flight in the 2016-17 campaign.
