Newcastle United will be releasing several players from the academy and first team at the end of the season.
For some players, their football careers have just begun, and they will surely move on to bigger things in the future. For the more senior players, it could spell retirement or dropping down a league to find more consistent football.
The biggest name set to leave Newcastle United at the end of his contract this summer is Callum Wilson. The 33-year-old has failed to find the net in his 13 appearances this season, as Alexander Isak continues to take his place in the starting XI.
Wilson admitted he is frustrated not to be playing for Newcastle, but ultimately understands that Isak’s form makes it tough for Eddie Howe to pick him.
Elsewhere, John Ruddy is out of contract this summer. The 38-year-old has not made a single competitive appearance for the Magpies this season, although he has been named on the bench five times.
While some player prepare for their release, one former Newcastle ace has opened up on what happened before he was told about his release from the club.
Michael Ndiweni opens up about Newcastle United release
Some of those players will be experiencing the same fate that academy graduate Michael Ndiweni did at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, just a few months after he made his professional debut for the Magpies.
Ndiweni was one of many young players who have been handed their professional debuts under Eddie Howe. The 47-year-old has become known for giving academy players like Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson a chance to shine in the first-team.
Ndiweni made his debut for Newcastle in a 4-1 win against Chelsea alongside the likes of Alex Murphy and Amadou Diallo. The young attacker was even called up to the bench for the Magpies Champions League game against PSG in late 2023, but did not make an appearance.
However, he would not make another appearance for the first team and was released by the club that same season.
Now at ninth-tier club Newcastle Blue Star, Ndiweni is hoping to pick his career back up and return to the professional game.
Speaking to Location Football about his release, Ndiweni said: “Personally, I probably did see it coming because we had discussions about loans to try and get my CV higher and at a better standard to potentially go onto another club.
“They’ll try their utmost best to get you the best football CV. Loan football at that time was probably the best to get another professional club. If a professional club comes to you from playing U-21s, they might not look at you, but if you’re playing first team football, you’ve got that first team experience to move on.”
Ndiweni bounced between several North East non-league clubs, including Gateshead and Blyth Spartans before eventually ending up at Newcastle Blue Star.
However, the 21-year-old did not expect to join a professional club soon after his release.
On believing he would find a new professional club, he added: “That’s what you think, but obviously football doesn’t work like that.
“At the end of the day, football doesn’t work like that and people within football know that. I was hopeful, but when nothing came through, I wasn’t really surprised to be honest.”
- READ MORE – Who is Michael Ndiweni? Meet the former Newcastle United starlet now tearing up KSI’s Baller League
Michael Ndiweni takes new path in football after Newcastle United release
This season, Ndiweni has proven that he can still play football at a high level, thanks to his impressive performances for Blue Star in the Northern League Division One.
While he continues playing well in the 11-a-side game, Ndiweni has made a name for himself in a new five-a-side competition that is airing weekly on Sky Sports.
The former Newcastle ace is part of KSI’s Baller League and was even a first-round draft pick for team FC Rules the World.
Ndiweni scored the first goal in the Baller League this year with a fine strike. So far, the 21-year-old has made two appearances, scoring two goals.
After scoring his first goal, Ndiweni paid homage to Alexander Isak by performing his trademark celebration.
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