Former Newcastle United forward Gabriel Obertan might return to his home country after ending his contract at Saint James Park.
The France international was booted out alongside Sylvain Marveaux even before the last season ended, as the manager Rafa Benitez was unlikely to give them playing time in the final two games left then. The sack was out of mutual consent.
The club released a statement that read:
“Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Gabriel and Sylvain the very best for the future.”
Obertan who is only 27 years of age joined Newcastle in the summer of 2001 for about 3 million Pounds from Manchester United having moved there two years earlier.
The Frenchman enjoyed a decent career moving through the French youth teams. He played for the Under 16 then the Under 17, Under 18, Under 19 and the Under 21 teams scoring goals. His boyhood club is Bordeaux where he played after growing through the ranks of the club’s youth team. He had a brief stint at Lorient but played in Bordeaux till 2009 prior to his Old Trafford move.
Marveaux on the other hand arrived on Tyneside from French club, Rennes. He has been with The Magpies for five years now. His time at the club has now been blighted by injury and he has managed just 57 appearances since. He has played on loan but the club didn’t want him any longer.
Obertan suffered a hamstring injury that rendered him useless to the club all season, before their relegation. The club wanted to cut its losses moving into a lower division. The options remain bleak for the Frenchman and it is speculated that the player would likely return to his home country to continue his footballing career.
