Newcastle United released 11 players in 2024 – here’s how they have fared away from St James’ Park

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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe made the decision to release 11 players after the 2023/24 Premier League season, but how did they get on away from St James’ Park?

Very few could have predicted what happened that summer. The club were forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to claw their way out of a PSR blackhole, which would have resulted in a points deduction.

Newcastle United have struggled to make new signings, but this summer is now set to be a big one for the club as Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign.

Some players have faded into obscurity, while others have taken a surprise path out of the professional game. Here is a look at how they have performed since leaving St James’ Park.

Paul Dummett

The longest-serving member of this list, Paul Dummett spent a staggering 24 years at Newcastle before finally leaving at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Dummett was on the bench for every Champions League game that season, but was not given his dream of playing in the competition by Howe.

Since leaving, Dummett has signed for Wigan Athletic, been released, signed for Carlisle United, got injured, was relegated and released again.

As of June 2025, the 33-year-old is a free agent.

Matt Ritchie

Another veteran on Tyneside, Matt Ritchie is considered a cult hero for his contributions to the club. The 35-year-old made 215 appearances for Newcastle in his seven-year spell, scoring some of the club’s most important goals.

Ritchie signed for Championship side Portsmouth two months after his release and became a key player in their first season back in the second-tier since 2012.

The Scotland international is set to stay on the South Coast for another year.

• READ MORE – Matt Ritchie names the four players Eddie Howe has transformed at Newcastle United

Loris Karius

It was a signing that surprised many, but Loris Karius endured an odd two years with Newcastle. Signed as a third-choice goalkeeper, Karius was thrown into action when Nick Pope was sent off just a week before the 2023 Carabao Cup final.

The German gave it his all, making several stops, but it was not enough as the Magpies were well-beaten at Wembley.

Karius would only make one more appearance for the Magpies, playing in a defeat to Arsenal in February 2024. Now 31, Karius helped Schalke stay in the Bundesliga 2 and recently signed a new deal at the former German giants.

Jeff Hendrick

While other players seemed to have a nice farewell, Jeff Hendrick’s was quite the opposite. The midfielder was loaned out soon after Howe’s arrival in 2021 and spent the remainder of his time on loan to clubs in the Championship.

When it was finally confirmed that Hendrick was leaving, Newcastle fans did not seem to be saddened by the news.

It was not until March 2025 that he would find his new club. It was announced that Hendrick had signed for Championship side Derby County, although he failed to make a single appearance and is set to leave the club again this month.

Kelland Watts

A player who made just one appearance the the Magpies, despite being at the club for 16 years, Kelland Watts spent several seasons out on loan before his eventual release.

Watts signed for League One side Cambridge United shortly after his release, but suffered relegation with the club after a troubled season.

The 25-year-old still has a year left on his existing deal.

Matty Bondswell

At first, it looked like he was destined to do great things, but Matty Bondswell has failed to live up to expectations. The 23-year-old joined Newcastle after spells at Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig’s academies before joining the Magpies in 2021.

After his release from Newcastle, Bondswell signed for National League side Hartlepool United, but departed the club upon the expiry of his short-term deal there.

Now, the former England Under-19 star plays for National League North side Peterborough Sports on a non-contract basis.

Kyle Crossley

Next is Kyle Crossley, who may have felt hard done by with his release. The winger scored 11 goals in the season he was asked to leave, one of the highest attacking returns in the youth setup that season.

The 20-year-old still plays in the North East despite his release, and is currently impressing at National League North team South Shields, where he plays with former Newcastle academy ace Paul Blackett.

Crossley is fortunate to be young enough to still prove his worth in the Football League, and there will no doubt be eyes on him after a fine season with the Mariners.

Amadou Diallo

After making his professional debut for the Magpies in 2023, Amadou Diallo was released by Newcastle to end his two-year stay at the club.

Diallo was praised by then-Newcastle Under-21s head coach Ben Dawson, but it was seemingly not enough to keep him at the club for another year.

Now, Diallo made the bizarre move to the French fourth tier to play for Bordeaux alongside former Newcastle star Andy Carroll.

Jordan Hackett

Another player who looked like he was destined to do good things in his career, Jordan Hackett is now playing thousands of miles away from Newcastle.

The left-back signed from Tottenham Hotspur’s academy in 2022 and made a number of appearances for the youth side before his release last summer.

Since leaving Hackett has played for Southern League side Mousehole AFC before moving to New Zealand to play for National League side Western Springs.

Michael Ndiweni

After his release from the academy, Michael Ndiweni has gone on to make a brilliant name for himself.

Ndiweni played first-team football for Newcastle and was even on the bench for the Magpies in the Champions League, but it was not meant to be for him at the club.

Since then, Ndiweni has floated around several North East non-league clubs before signing for ninth-tier side Newcastle Blue Star. Ndiweni also played in KSI’s Baller League this year, showing off his skills on television on a weekly basis.

The 21-year-old is still at Blue Star, but his Baller League appearance could see him sign for a club in a higher league soon.

• READ MORE – Who is Michael Ndiweni? Meet the former Newcastle United starlet now tearing up KSI’s Baller League

Jude Smith

Last and certainly not least is Jude Smith, who signed for the Magpies in 2022.

The Scot was part of the academy throughout his time at Newcastle before eventually being released last summer.

Smith signed for Carlisle United on June 1, the day after his Newcastle contract officially ended. However, the 22-year-old did not make a single appearance as they were relegated from League Two.

There is a chance Smith will play more often in the National League, with his contract not up until the end of next season.