Deal Hijacked successfully as Player raided by the MAGPIES now complete deal to join rivals… Medicals schedule already.
Newcastle United released 16 players from professional contracts over the summer, including seven with first-team experience at the club.
Among them, Kell Watts and Matt Ritchie have since signed with Cambridge United and Portsmouth respectively. Amadou Diallo, who made his Premier League debut for Newcastle against Chelsea last November, recently joined Bordeaux on a free transfer. Bordeaux, once a top club in France, now competes in the country’s fourth tier due to financial difficulties and double administrative relegations.
Michael Ndiweni, who also made his sole Newcastle appearance against Chelsea, has stayed in the North East, joining non-league side Ashington. After making his Premier League debut less than a year ago, he now plays in the eighth tier of English football and has yet to score in six appearances for his new team.
Other notable departures include Paul Dummett, Jeff Hendrick, and Loris Karius. Dummett remains in Tyneside and has been training at Newcastle’s facility while waiting for a new club. Karius has returned to Italy to be with his family as he looks for a move to Serie A. Hendrick, who has not played for Newcastle since 2021, is also still searching for a club after unsuccessful loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Reading.
While the summer transfer window has closed, free agents like these players can still join new clubs if roster spots are available.
Several players from Newcastle’s Under-21 squad were also released, with at least four finding new clubs:
– **Kyle Crossley**: Joined South Shields in the National League North and has already scored for his new team.
– **Dylan Stephenson**: Signed with National League side Dagenham & Redbridge, but his playing time has been limited.
– **Jude Smith**: The goalkeeper joined Carlisle United in the Football League but has yet to feature.
– **Jordan Hackett**: Formerly with Tottenham, Hackett joined Mousehole AFC in Cornwall, playing in the eighth tier of English football.
A number of former Newcastle youngsters remain without clubs. Several, such as forward Shaun Mavididi and goalkeeper Will Brown, have yet to announce new teams for the 2024-25 season. Players and agents have cited financial pressures on lower-league clubs as a significant factor in their struggles to secure new contracts, prompting some to drop down levels or explore options abroad.
Other notable names still searching for clubs include:
– **Lucas De Bolle**: Despite featuring in Premier League matchday squads and friendlies for Newcastle, De Bolle has struggled to make an impact in senior football.
– **Matthew Bondswell**: The former RB Leipzig full-back played regularly for Newport County on loan but couldn’t secure a permanent deal.
– **Rodrigo Vilca**: A Peruvian midfielder, Vilca spent last season in Serbia with Voždovac but is now a free agent. He joined Newcastle in 2020 but never broke into the first team, spending much of his time in the academy or on loan.
The Gazette will continue to provide updates as these players secure new opportunities in the coming weeks or months.