Former Newcastle United youngster Gael Bigirimana has been talking to Planet Football about his time at St James’ Park.
The Magpies signed the then 18-year-old midfielder from Coventry City for £1 million in 2011. Bigirimana was an exciting prospect and at the time many fans felt Newcastle had snapped up a great talent.
However, the midfielder didn’t have the greatest of times at the club. Bigirimana played just 26 times for the Magpies in all competitions and scored only one goal. He was shipped out on loan a couple of times before being released in 2016.
The Burundi international admits he should have left the club a long time before he did and claims he didn’t “learn a lot” during his time under then-manager Alan Pardew.
Bigirimana said: “I worked hard for Alan Pardew to create opportunities for myself. A lot of young players have gone on to develop good careers after Pardew gave them an opportunity, and maybe it would have been better had I gone elsewhere.
“I didn’t really learn a lot football-wise, but some of that was down to my immaturity.”
Whatever the reason, the now 27-year-old didn’t do enough to nail down a spot in Pardew’s team and his spells out on loan didn’t do him many favours either.
He spent half a season with Rangers but didn’t play a single game for the Scottish giants. He spent the following campaign back at Coventry, who re-signed him on a permanent deal in 2016.
Bigirimana now plays for Glentoran in Northern Ireland.
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