Andros Townsend has vowed to prove he is worth every penny of the £12 million Newcastle paid Tottenham for him.
The 24-year-old England midfielder is headed for Tyneside as Magpies head coach Steve McClaren handed him a way out of his misery at White Hart Lane, where he found himself surplus to manager Mauricio Pochettino's requirements for the final three months of his 16-year stay.
Newcastle negotiated long and hard with Spurs before an agreement was finally reached, prompting raised eyebrows in some quarters at what they were prepared to pay for a man who has not played a full 90 minutes in the Premier League for almost two years.
However, asked if he was worth £12m, Townsend said: "That's for you lot to decide.
"Of course £12 million is a lot of money, I know that, but if I can reach my potential and play to the ability I know I have, then I am sure as quickly as people are saying it is a lot of money, they will be saying it is a bargain.
"Football, I know, has its ups and downs. It turns so quickly. If I put in a few good performances, it will look like money well-spent, and that is what I am solely looking to do, play as well as I can."
While Townsend has been signed to play a significant role in Newcastle's fight for Barclays Premier League survival, there is little doubt that reviving his England career is a major focus after missing out on the 2014 World Cup finals through injury.
However, he insists that is a secondary consideration as he looks to re-launch his career and not only get back to the level he had reached two years ago, but go beyond it.
He said: "I'm not looking to get back where I was, I am looking to become an even better player.
"I do not look back, I always look forward and feel I am more mature than I was back then and believe fully that I can get back to a level I can play at.
"I have faith in my own ability. I am the same player and the same person that did break onto the scene a few years ago and was tipped as a big England prospect. I was an integral part for club and country.
"I am still that same player. I am in best shape of my life and injury-free, and I'm hoping Newcastle will benefit from that."