DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa believes his best is yet to come at Newcastle United, after finally making his debut following a dramatic deadline-day transfer and a frustrating pre-season injury.
The 28-year-old, who joined from Brentford after several bids were initially rejected, has already opened his scoring account for Newcastle this month. However, Wissa admits he is still working his way back to full fitness after recovering from a knee problem.
“There is more to gain, of course. I am not at my absolute peak yet,” Wissa told Sky Sports. “It will take a few weeks to build it up, and I know I have one more step to take.”
The DR Congo international says his ambitions are clear as he settles into life in the north-east.
“I hope for many goals, many assists and many victories,” he added. “That’s what we need right now.”
Wissa also reflected on the nerve-wracking final hours of the transfer window, describing a day filled with uncertainty and exhaustion. He left London in the early hours of the morning, driving through the night to Newcastle with no guarantee the deal would be completed.
“I left London at three in the morning and drove all the way to Newcastle,” he said. “I arrived around seven and hadn’t slept at all, because I couldn’t sleep.”
The forward spent the entire day at the club’s training ground as negotiations dragged on.
“I thought I was going to sign at three, but at six, seven, nothing. We extended to nine, still nothing,” he explained. “It was just negotiations back and forth.”
The move was finally confirmed with barely any time to spare.
“I signed with ten seconds left,” Wissa said.
Now fully focused on football, the DR Congo international is determined to repay Newcastle’s faith as he builds match sharpness and looks to make a lasting impact in black and white.
