Newcastle United favourite Hatem Ben Arfa has joined OGC Nice, having seen his contract with the north east club cancelled in recent days, as reported by Nice’s official Twitter account.

Hatem #BenArfa va maintenant partir à la rencontre des supporters, place Masséna @VilledeNice #BienvenueHatem pic.twitter.com/ECrm75oipb

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) January 5, 2015

Ben Arfa was always likely to leave Newcastle in the January transfer window, having fallen out with now former manager Alan Pardew last season.

As a result, Ben Arfa moved to Hull City on loan during the summer, but opportunities at the Humberside club were limited, and Steve Bruce seemingly found him difficult to manage.

Ben Arfa has therefore returned to France, the country where he originally made his name as a footballer.

This is a blow to Newcastle fans, who saw Ben Arfa as the sort of talismanic talent who could change a game in an instant.

Despite Pardew’s departure, it seemed to be the case that there would be no place for him going forward, and that has been confirmed by his free transfer to Nice.