Santon played for three-and-a-half seasons for Newcastle and was part of the team that finished in fifth place in the 2011/12 Premier League season.
While at Inter Milan, from whom Newcastle had brought him, the former right-back was linked with a move to Sunderland in the summer of 2016, but ultimately ended up staying in Italy.
Santon admits that he nearly pushed for a transfer to Sunderland but ultimately backed away due to a number of reasons.
The situation with his body, with the ex-Newcastle star undergoing major injuries in his career, as well as his contract played a part, but the chief reason to not go to Sunderland was his not wanting to seem like a traitor to the Magpies.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Santon said: “Sunderland wanted me, but I always had this big doubt because, come on, I played for Newcastle and I couldn’t go and play for Sunderland.
“I was back in England close to the city then I nearly pushed for it, but a lot of things happened and I think they happened for a reason.
“I wasn’t supposed to play for Sunderland because my heart is for Newcastle.
“That was it, really.
“I never signed for Sunderland for a lot of reasons: my body situation, the contract situation and then there was a disagreement on a lot of things and I never went there.
“After that, I was happy because I always felt inside of me I couldn’t do it.
“If I went to Sunderland, they wouldn’t like me anymore if I came back to Newcastle because I would be a traitor.
“I’m glad I didn’t sign for Sunderland.
“Not out of disrespect – I respected them and loved to play against them – but I felt for everything Newcastle gave to me and the love I had for the city and the fans, I wasn’t supposed to play for that club.”
Santon made nearly 100 appearances for Newcastle in his spell at St. James’ Park.
