Florian Thauvin grateful to Newcastle spell for giving him 'time to think' about Marseille career

Thauvin, signed for £12million in August, rejoined Olympique Marseille on a six-month loan today.

The 23-year-old said: "I am very happy to come back to my friends in a squad that I know quite well, even if there have been some changes.

"I met the coach (Michel), everything went well. He asked me how I was, if I felt good and if I felt ready to start the new adventure. I told him that I was ready and that I could not wait to start.”

Asked about his experience at Newcastle, Thauvin added: "It was a new experience, I learnt new things.

"It gave me a bit of time to think about what I had been through here, and to better analyse what I had done with Marseille.

"It was good for me to be able to think about that more clearly. I think that this experience allowed me to learn a lot.”

A United statement earlier confirmed Thauvin's return to Marseille.

It read: "Newcastle United winger Florian Thauvin has returned to Marseille on loan until the end of the season.

"The 23-year-old arrived on Tyneside from the French club last August, but has headed back to the Stade Velodrome for the remainder of the 2015/16 campaign.

"There is no option for purchase within the deal, so Thauvin will return to Newcastle at the end of the loan.

"Thauvin has made 16 appearances for Newcastle to date, five of which were starts, and has scored one goal."