Miles Starforth's pre-season tour diary: What Fabian Schar's not looking forward to at Newcastle

The defender, signed from Deportivo La Coruna last week in a £3million deal, is relishing the opportunity he has been handed at the club.

Schar was one of four players who spoke to the media at Newcastle base earlier this week ahead of tonight’s friendly against Braga.

The 26-year-old, it’s clear, is very happy to be playing for Rafa Benitez, United’s manager.

Schar made his debut in Saturday night’s goalless draw against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.

The Switzerland international – who helped his country reach the last 16 of this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia – knows what’s coming.

Like every new arrival, Schar must sing for his team-mates.

Schar – who could prove to be an important player for Benitez this season in the absence through injury of Florian Lejeune – knows he can perform on the pitch, but he’s less confident about performing a song in front of his colleagues.

Asked if he had sung yet, Schar said:“Not at the moment, but I know I have to do it!

“Maybe this is the only thing I’m not looking forward to!”