Player who Eddie Howe sold for £400k is set for Newcastle United reunion next season

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Newcastle United will take on some familiar faces in the Premier League next season.

We are reaching the business end of the 2024/25 campaign, as Newcastle United challenge for Champions League qualification.

At the opposite end of the table, Southampton and Leicester City have been relegated from the Premier League. They are heading back to the Championship, and look set to be joined by Ipswich Town. Their relegation can be confirmed at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Two of their replacements have been confirmed, with Burnley and Leeds United securing promotion to the top flight of English football.

Karl Darlow helps Leeds United secure Premier League return

With Leeds United coming back up to the Premier League, that means that Karl Darlow will be heading back to St James’ Park.

He left the Magpies in 2023, with Eddie Howe selling the goalkeeper to Leeds for £400,000.

Darlow signed a three-year deal with Leeds United, but barely featured in his first season at Elland Road. He made just four appearances, with only two of them coming in the Championship as Leeds went on to lose the playoff final.

This season they have secured automatic promotion, and Darlow has played his part.

The 33-year-old has spent most of the campaign on the bench, only to start Leeds’ last five games. Daniel Farke opted to replace Illan Meslier with Darlow, and the decision has paid off.

In the five Championship games that Darlow has played, Leeds have won four and drawn one, keeping three clean sheets.

That run of form has resulted in Leeds securing promotion back to the Premier League, which means that Darlow is set for a Newcastle United reunion.

Other former Newcastle United players returning to the Premier League

As it stands, the only other former Newcastle United player who will be returning to St James’ Park is Scott Parker.

The ex-Toon skipper is the Burnley manager, and has secured the Clarets a space in the Championship’s top two. It is the third time he has won promotion in his managerial career.

His squad includes Jonjo Shelvey, but it remains to be seen if he will still be a Burnley player by the time they are starting the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

The 33-year-old joined Burnley on a deal until the end of the season in January, but has only made four appearances in all competitions since his arrival.