Joe Willock opens up on his special relationship with Newcastle United teammate Allan Saint-Maximin

The pair stuck up a special bond during the 21-year-old’s half-season loan at St James’s Park last term.

They were both star performers as the Magpies surged towards Premier League survival to secure a 12th place finish.

When Willock’s loan spell ended, the duo were often spotted engaging on social media together and often told that they missed each other.

However, that’ll be no such problem now after Willock sealed a permanent return to United on Friday in a deal worth near £25m from Arsenal.

They could reunite on the pitch at Aston Villa this weekend with Willock available for selection after missing the opening day defeat to West Ham.

Willock told BBC Radio Newcastle: “He’s one of my best friends, not only in football but outside of football.

"We get on really well and he’s a player I look up to a lot.

"He’s very important to Newcastle and a very important person in my life.

"He is a really good friend of mine and on the pitch, he is someone I love to link up with up."

Willock also revealed the key part head coach Steve Bruce played in his decision to return to Tyneside.

The 60-year-old was desperate to bring Willock back to the club after pubically making him his number one transfer target.

Bruce had to be patient but he finally got his man.

Willock said: “Steve Bruce is a man I respect highly. He’s had a wonderful managerial career.

"He is a man when he speaks to you, you listen. He is always honest with me.

"We have a really good relationship and he was vital to me in coming back to the club.

"He has good player relationships. He is a honest man and one that never beats around the bush – he tells you how it is.”

On Graeme Jones, Willock added: "He is another staff member I really get on well with.

"He has a lot of new ideas on how to play. He is someone I respect a lot too."

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