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"I did my job" - Rondón
Salomón Rondón signed off from his season-long loan at Newcastle United with a goal in Sunday’s 4-0 final-day win at Fulham – and he said it was the perfect way to finish the campaign.
The Venezuelan’s neat finish from a tight angle added extra gloss to the scoreline in the final minute, after goals from Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Pérez and Fabian Schär had given United a three-goal cushion at Craven Cottage.
It was an emphatic victory for Rafa Benítez’s men, who extended their excellent last-day record at the home of the already-relegated Cottagers.
And Rondón, whose industry and presence again gave the Magpies a valuable outlet in the final third, said it was a special way to round off his loan spell with the club.
“It’s amazing for us, and for the Newcastle supporters,” he told nufc.co.uk.
“We are happy to have finished like that. This is the reason that you have to keep going, work hard, and finish like we finished today – that’s what we had to do.”
He added: “For me, for a striker, I’m always happy when I score, and scoring goals is the only thing in my mind.
“I’m here, I’m really happy – I scored 11 goals (in the Premier League), 12 for the season, so I’m really happy. I did my job, and this is the reason the gaffer brought me here – to help the team. I did, and we’ll have to wait.”
After helping his side to the win which ensured a 13th-place finish, the 29-year-old – who won United’s Player of the Year award last week – was given a rousing reception by the United fans who had made the trip down to the capital.
And the Magpies’ number nine admitted it was an emotional afternoon for him, as he and his teammates thanked those fans for their backing over the last nine months.
“The supporters singing my name – that was a special moment for me, because I tried to do my job, to work really hard and help the team all the time,” he said.
“I scored goals, I assisted the team, so I think I did my job. We have to wait and we will see what happens.”
He added: “You have to enjoy it. The feedback between the supporters and the players is special, because they recognise my job. I’m really happy to play for Newcastle United, to be here with my teammates, with the club, so we will see what happens.”
"The supporters singing my name – that was a special moment for me, because I tried to do my job, to work really hard and help the team all the time."