Sandro Tonali has been given a nickname by his Newcastle United teammates ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 23-year-old joined the Magpies from AC Milan for £55 million, making him the club's marque signing of the summer transfer window.
He's already impressed Newcastle fans, having made a stellar showing in a friendly clash against Rangers last month.
And it appears he's fitting in nicely with his new colleagues, with Tonali receiving a nickname during a rondo training drill ahead of this weekend's Sela Cup.In a video uploaded by the club, Tonali can be seen taking part in a rondo, with one of his teammates calling him 'Sandy'.
Of course, it's his first name shortened and looks like it may stick ahead of Newcastle kicking off their 2023/24 campaign against Aston Villa on August 12.
The Italian midfielder could start against Villa, with his showings in pre-season exciting Eddie Howe.
Speaking after the match against Rangers, he said: "I was very impressed with Sandro. I thought he was excellent. Everything we hoped he would bring, he did in that first 45 minutes."He was very calm and composed, and technically, he was at a very high level. He built good relationships with the players around him, and looked at home in a black-and-white shirt. It was a great start for him."Howe added: "We had a quick nod and a smile after the game. I think you could see he was enjoying himself by his body language and how he plays.
"He looked like he was enjoying himself, certainly with some of the players around him, in that first half.
"I’d be surprised if he didn’t enjoy playing that type of football, with the players that he’s with. There was a really attractive style, I thought we moved the ball really well, and he was pivotal to that."
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