Aleksandar Mitrovic has revealed that he has been a fan of Newcastle United ever since he was a child growing up in Serbia.
Mitrovic divulged his love affair with the Magpies in an eye opening interview with the Sun newspaper, and the striker claims it was the passion and dedication from Newcastle's supporters that led him to choosing the North East club over European giants such as Manchester United and Barcelona when he was a kid.
He said: It has been my favourite club ever since I was a boy in Serbia. I have followed Newcastle my whole life.
They played Partizan Belgrade in Europe when I was small. I was a Partizan fan and they play in the same colours, black and white stripes. I fell in love with them then.
It is unusual. People normally pick teams like Manchester United and Barcelona, but not for me.
There was something here I really liked. It was the passion, the relationship between fans and players. You could feel it on the TV. Even big clubs were afraid of this crowd. So I've been happy from the start at Newcastle. It feels like I've come home."
Mitrovic's relationship with the Newcastle faithful is clear to see, and the mutual love that exists between the Serbia international and his club's fans is something that Mitrovic said warms his heart everytime he steps out on to the pitch.
He said: It is amazing to be so loved. Even when I warm up, I feel that love from fans. I'm so happy. I hope I'll be here ten or 15 years. I'll spend my career here. As long as they want me, I'll be here.�
The £13m signing from Anderlecht has also won over opposition footballs fans for his over elaborate celebrations and oft-times ludicrous performances on the pitch.
Great fun interviewing this chap. Inside the wonderful world of Aleksandar Mitrovic. https://t.co/xcK5mScnPp #nufc pic.twitter.com/y9Qiimcd9L
Footage of Mitrovic celebrating wildly with a Newcastle fan went viral on social media after the 22-year-old had equalised in the North East derby against Sunderland earlier in 2016, while another video showed Mitrovic choke slamming fellow forward Dwight Gayle after his team-mate scored a last-gasp winner in the 4-3 triumph over Norwich City in September.
And Mitrovic went on to explain that he is overcome with raw emotion whenever his side scores a goal - whether he's the scorer or not.
He continued: When I score or the team scores, I have so much adrenaline, it surges through me.
That was an amazing game, for us to score two goals in the last two minutes, I had to do something.
Dwight said afterwards that next time he scores and he sees me, he is going to run the other way! I don't really remember it but it was funny when I saw the clip. I wasn't worried ” he's a strong guy.�
The ex-Partizan star jokingly added that he may have turned to a life of crime if he had not achieved his dream of becoming a footballer, due to the nature of his emotional personality.
Massive well done to #NUFC trio Mo Diame, Matt Ritchie & Aleksandar Mitrovic all making the EFL Cup team of the round. pic.twitter.com/8gt9ndDI0f
Mitrovic said: If I didn't play football, my father said I would be a criminal or a kickboxer! I would have to do something where I can use my adrenaline. As a child, I was difficult for my parents.
My boy Luka is eight months old and I can see myself in him, so I know how hard it must have been for my parents. My mum always said, ˜You will see' ” and now I see it!�
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