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Hatem Ben Arfa thanks Newcastle fans following move to Hull City

Hatem Ben Arfa has penned a heartfelt open letter to Newcastle United fans following his deadline day loan move to Hull City, which effectively ends his four-year stay on Tyneside.

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The French winger, 27, has only one year remaining on his existing contract and it appears that he has played his final game for the Magpies after being involved in a spat with manager Alan Pardew. 

Pardew fined Ben Arfa for being overweight on his return to pre-season training and the playmaker duly responded by threatening to hold his own autograph signing session when he was exiled from an open training event.

Ben Arfa has netted 15 goals in 90 matches for Newcastle since moving from Marseille in 2010 and he expressed his gratitude to the club's fans for their support during his time at St James Park.

"To the Toon Army, I want to pass on my thanks to all the fans that supported me during my time at the club and living in a city that will be forever in my heart," he wrote in the letter, which was published in the Chronicle.

"Thank you also to everyone at NUFC and to Hull for making this loan happen. I wish Newcastle the best of luck. I hope they have a good season."

Ben Arfa was one of four deadline-day acquisitions for Hull -- alongside 10 million-pound record signing Abel Hernandez, Senegalese midfielder Mohamed Diame and fellow loanee Gaston Ramirez -- and he says he is looking forward to resurrecting his career at the KC Stadium.

"I can't wait to launch my career again with Hull and [manager] Steve Bruce. I thank him for the trust he has shown in bringing me to this club."

Ben Arfa is yet to make a competitive appearance this season though he could make his Tigers debut against West Ham United on Sept. 15. 

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