Karl Darlow is set to leave Newcastle United after nine years with the club.
Eddie Howe has given an update on Newcastle United’s outgoing business, with a number of players set for an exit this summer. Whilst youngster Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby are yet to secure loan moves, Karl Darlow and Jamal Lewis are close to leaving St James’ Park.
Lewis is on the verge of joining Watford on loan, whilst Darlow is about to join Leeds United on a permanent transfer. The 32-year-old goalkeeper stands a great chance of getting regular first-team football at Elland Road, having been a back-up on Tyneside for the best part of a decade.
Darlow spent the second half of last season on loan with Hull City, making 12 appearances for the Tigers and producing a number of eye-catching performances. In total, he has managed 100 outings for the Magpies across all competitions. His busiest period came in the 2016/17 season when he played 36 times, whilst the club were in the Championship. Darlow also made 25 Premier League appearances in the 2020/21 campaign, covering admirably for the injured Martin Dubravka.
Karl Darlow deserves to shine elsewhere
The 6’3” shot-stopper has been a brilliant servant for the club, and deserves to go on and make himself a No. 1 elsewhere at this stage in his career. Darlow certainly has the quality to shine for Leeds in the second tier.
Howe has heaped praise on the outgoing ‘keeper, saying, “Karl will certainly go with our best wishes. He has been an incredible servant to the football club. We value him but we can’t carry a team of five goalkeepers,” as quoted by Chronicle Live.
With Nick Pope as the nailed-on first choice, and Dubravka and Loris Karius around to provide back-up, there is no risk for Newcastle in letting Darlow go.
On the subject of other departures, Howe said: “Jamal Lewis is probably the nearest to securing a loan move to Watford. That is closest in the pipeline and that will get done in the next 24 hours.”
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