Martin Dubravka reveals his thoughts on returning to Newcastle after a '˜special' time at the club

The goalkeeper joined the club on a permanent deal this summer.

Dubravka, outstanding in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao, is keen to build on his successful loan at the club last season.

“I’m very pleased (to have signed for four years),” said Dubravka. “I was waiting for this, and after the last game against Chelsea I said I would like to stay here because I feel like I belong here.

”We have amazing fans, an amazing stadium and an amazing club with a great history. I’m very pleased that I can be part of it now.”

Dubravka had to wait for the deal to get done this summer.

“I was just waiting,” said the Slovakia international. “I was away with the national team, and I was waiting for an answer.

“I always hoped it would happen, because after half a season I wanted to stay, I didn’t want to have to look for another solution, another direction.

“I feel really pleased, and I enjoyed it when they made my move permanent because the half-year was special for me.

“As a team we played well last season. I was a new player, and everybody in the team helped me a lot. Everbody supported me, so it wasn’t only about me and Kenedy when we came into the squad, it was about the team.”

Dubravka had sat out United’s first two pre-season friendlies, and he was kept busy before being replaced by Karl Darlow.

“It was a special night, because you are playing against a quality team and it was special for me because I was playing against my idol, Ilker Casillas,” said the 29-year-old.

“That made it a special night for me. I was glad that I was able to speak to him after the game.”

Dubravka and Darlow made some important saves against Porto.

“They’re a quality team,” said Dubravka. “They’re champions, and we could see that we were under a little bit of pressure.”