Davide Santon: “I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the comments made recently by John Carver about my move to Inter Milan.
“I want to say that I never thought for one moment, having been out injured for eight months, that I would immediately play again as a regular at Newcastle United.
“During the time I was injured, I worked hard every day to get back to full fitness as soon as possible. My career has always been based on hard work and sacrifices which help me to keep on improving.
“I have always struggled to carve out a space for myself and I know that it will be the same until the end of my career. I therefore would never refuse to fight for my place in any team.
“It was with deep regret that when I spoke with John Carver and after five games on the bench in the Premier League without playing even a single minute, I realised that I was no longer in the first team plans of the coach.
“At that moment, after three and a half years as a Newcastle player, I no longer felt an essential part of the project.
“It was then I was forced to think about my career and my future. Following this Inter Milan, the club where I was born and bred as a footballer, offered me an opportunity that I could not refuse.
“I spent three and a half wonderful years in Newcastle, a great club with fantastic fans who have always supported me and showed me their affection. This is why I will never forget them and they’ll always be in my heart.
“Finally I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all my teammates and the staff with whom I shared a wonderful experience with at Newcastle United.”