Newcastle United fullback Mathieu Debuchy says Yohan Cabaye has been crucial in his first months on Tyneside.

The pair played together at Lille.

"With all the French players arriving, settling in became much more of a simple task," he told the Independent. "I've been given a warm welcome here, whether that be from the club or the supporters. I've settled. My family are now with me and everything is going all right [he initially moved in with Cabaye and his family]. I'm with my wife and my kids and we have our own home now. Things are fantastic. Yohan and I have known each other for a long time, so it was a great help. He is a really great friend.

"We spoke about it [the move] together. We spent a bit of time discussing Newcastle. He told me it was a great city and that it was a good club. That was all we needed to talk about. I already knew the club before discussing it with Yohan. The Premier League is an appealing league in France. It has the very best players and every match is massive.

"I was very, very happy when Newcastle came back for me. I was delighted they contacted me so soon after the initial interest. Now I want to show what I can do. This is a big club.

"There is absolutely no problem between the French players and the English players or the other players. We all get on really well. That is important. The spirit is strong here.

"We can talk French where we want but obviously it is better for us to make an effort with our English. However, it is isn't easy for me as I'm an absolute beginner in English. I'm starting to take classes so, hopefully, I will make some progress. I'm getting three lessons a week and I can already understand Steven Taylor!"