He signed on loan to the end of the season but Athletic wanted to tie up the deal before the transfer deadline. Wadsworth knew the player well from their time at St James’s Park, where the Athletic boss was a former assistant manager and when it became clear Beharall wouldn’t make Bobby Robson’s squad he moved in. Wadsworth said: “I had no doubts about David – I always liked him at Newcastle and he was unfortunate to be at a big club with not much of a way through. He was down the pecking order, so this move will do him good because you can stay at a big club for too long. These days you need centre-backs who have good pace and can play a bit, both of which apply to David. There are certain things he can improve, but he is ambitious and intelligent enough to work hard on them and become an even better player in the future.”