Sandro Tonali said Newcastle United "gave me more than football, it gave me a home" after his big-money move to Premier League rivals Tottenham was confirmed.
Tonali's three-year stay at St. James Park has now officially come to an end after he completed his reported £100m switch to Spurs on Monday.
Having joined Newcastle from Serie A giants AC Milan in 2023, Tonali made 110 appearances for the Magpies in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists.
During his time on Tyneside, the 26-year-old helped Newcastle end their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the EFL Cup final in 2024-25.
The Italy international is another key part of Spurs' rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi, joining a week after they completed an £85m deal for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham.
And after confirming his move to North London, Tonali posted an emotional farewell to the Newcastle fans, citing the support he felt during the period when he was suspended for 10 months following a breach of Italian betting regulations in 2023.
"Three years ago I came to Newcastle not really knowing what to expect," Tonali said in an Instagram post.
"Today it's time to say goodbye, and it's hard to find the right words. I want to start by thanking the club. To the people who work every day and nobody sees at the training ground, everyone who welcomed me and made me feel at home from the very first day.
"Thank you to the staff and my teammates for believing in me and helping me grow. A special mention to the gaffer, Eddie [Howe], who's been a real guiding figure and who always had my back throughout this journey.
"But above all, I want to speak directly to the fans. When things were hard for me, you were there. Not for one day did I feel alone. I felt it every time I was at St James' Park.
"That's something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Together, we achieved something this city had been waiting decades for.
"At Wembley that day, it was special, a historic moment we got to share together. To the fans who never stopped believing, who never stopped cheering for this club, who were there in the hardest times, that trophy was for you.
"The game brought me to Newcastle. Today I leave with my wife and our son, born during my time here. This city gave me more than football, it gave me a home, moments I'll hold onto forever, and people I will always be grateful for. Thank you for everything."