Yankuba Minteh got on his bike in more ways than one during his flying season with Feyenoord.

The teenager from Gambia – he turns 20 this month - used express speed to help him make a big impression on loan from Newcastle United.

Fans used to love the fact they would see him out cycling in Rotterdam because he had not yet passed his driving test.

Minteh lived in an apartment near the stadium and would walk or use pedal power to get wherever he needed to be, including matches and training sessions.

He was easy-going with fans and a popular character.

And the man who has now joined Albion for £30 million got better and better as his season progressed.

Minteh was signed by Toon from Danish club Odense and then went straight on loan.

Mikos Gouka, who covers Feyenoord for Algemeen Dagblad, said: “Newcastle saw Arne Slot playing with wingers, putting pressure on defenders.

“Slot said his scouting team knew a lot about Minteh but he did not know so much.

“In the first friendly, Feyenoord got a penalty and he grabbed the ball and took it.

“They thought it was maybe a sign of his confidence.

“Apparently people called him in Messi in Gambia.

“In the first matches he was struggling a bit, he didn’t really know how to play in a system.

“He made a lot of tactical mistakes at first but he always gave 100%.”

Minteh bought into the demands that he press high up and with energy.

In particular, experienced left-back Quilinsdchy Hartmann, who went up against him every day in training, had a few complaints about how physically tough that was.

Minteh was ahead of schedule by the time he went off to AFCON, where Gambia lost all three group stage matches.

His performance levels increased on his return, including two goals in the memorable 6-0 mauling of Ajax.

Perhaps also of note that day was how he used his strength to win the ball back before sending Igor Paixao through for the opening goal.

Minteh also scored a double in the 2-0 win at Almere City, the first with a clever looking chip which many dismissed as a mis-directed cross.

The look up and the position of team-mates suggested he WAS going for goal – which he was keen to point out afterwards.

A concern has been mentioned over him not being able to rein himself in after a yellow card, but that was essentially based on events in the Dutch Cup final, against Nijmegen at Feyenoord’s home ground.

They were 1-0 up when Minteh was booked twice in the space of a few seconds for separate fouls.

It left the teen in tears but Feyenoord held on for the win in what was a very fiery fixture.
He had not been booked in his previous 27 domestic appearances.

Feyenoord were hoping he might return for a second loan season, although Newcastle had made it clear they would want him for pre-season, including their trip to Japan.

Those Feyenoord hopes appear to have been dashed but they still have a winger with Albion connections.

Which begs the question for Seagulls fans – will Minteh be a bigger success at the Amex than was the case with current Feyenoord man Alireza Jahanbakhsh?

Gouka said: “He is a different player. He is so fast.

“Jahanbakhsh was quite quick but Minteh was one of the fastest players we have ever seen in the Dutch league.

“He is also younger.”