Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon reflects on ‘hurtful’ Everton exit

The winger joined Newcastle in January in a deal that could cost the Magpies up to £45million. The Magpies had held long-term interest in Gordon after initially being linked with a move for him last summer, before being priced-out of a move after Everton’s £60million price tag.

Gordon played a crucial role in helping the Toffees avoid the drop last season, but was unable to hit similar heights at the beginning of this campaign as Everton struggled under Frank Lampard. Gordon’s move to St James’s Park was sealed in the last few days of the transfer window and was announced in a statement by his former club that didn’t include a word of thanks or good luck message.

Gordon has since revealed that the way he left Everton, somewhere he has called home since joining them as an 11-year-old, ‘hurt’ him. Speaking to BBC, Gordon said: "It did hurt me a little bit, I'm not going to lie to you.

“I thought 'I'm a 22-year-old lad, I'm not going to handle every situation in life perfectly', but I think the effort I gave them last year, I was a massive part in keeping the club up. I won the Players' Player and Manager's Player of the Year [awards], so for them to not really show me any credit or thank me hurt me a little bit, yes."

Gordon is set to make his return to Goodison Park next month when Newcastle United face Everton on Thursday, April 27.