A Lille statement read: "Have a good trip champ! Sven was still just 20 when he signed for Lille from Ajax and it was his first season with the professionals.

"He instantly demonstrated his solidity and ease in the heart of the Lille defence and formed a partnership with the more experienced José Fonte. In his first season he was used 47 times in the 2020/21 campaign. In his second year he was a major player and helped Lille to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"He was called up by the Dutch national team a few months ago and now starts a new chapter with Newcastle, a club with a long tradition of ex-Lille players in Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy, David Rozehnal, Loic Remy and Patrick Kluivert. He will leave Lille with the memory of a very high-level defender who left his mark on the club."

Lille thanks Sven Botman for his performance and his professionalism in the Lille jersey throughout these two rich seasons and wishes him the best for his new adventure on the other side of the channel."

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This is proper decent by Lille, shows real class.