Ryan Fraser has finally left Newcastle United on a permanent deal.
The Magpies have been trying to get rid of Ryan Fraser all summer, and now his move to Southampton has finally been completed in the dying hours of the transfer window.
Earlier during transfer deadline day, it was reported that Newcastle were close to terminating Fraser’s contract, which would have cleared the way for him to sign for Southampton.
The Saints have been trying to sign the winger all summer, after he spent last season on loan at St Mary’s. He played a key role in them winning promotion, resulting in Southampton agreeing a deal to sign Fraser permanently.
However, the deal stalled with Fraser unable to negotiate an exit from St James’ Park due to still having one year left to run on his Newcastle United contract.
Russell Martin had stated that a deal for Fraser was unlikely, but he has now been given the player he has been craving.
Newcastle release short statement as Ryan Fraser leaves the club
Ryan Fraser’s move from Newcastle United to Southampton is now official.
The club have confirmed the deal on their official website, and have released a rather brief statement about the Scotland international’s departure.
They wrote: “Newcastle United can confirm that winger Ryan Fraser has departed the club and joined Southampton on a permanent deal. Fraser, who spent last season on loan at St Mary’s, made 59 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies following his arrival from AFC Bournemouth in the summer of 2020.”
And that was it. There was no message of good luck, as Newcastle send Fraser on his way without their regards.
In contrast, Newcastle were much more positive when they announced Harrison Ashby’s loan move to QPR.
At the end of that announcement, the club wrote: “Everyone at the club would like to wish Harrison well for his loan spell.”
Ryan Fraser fell out with Eddie Howe
After joining Newcastle in 2020, Fraser is no longer a Toon player.
He was signed by Steve Bruce, arriving on a free transfer and being given a five-year deal. At the time, he looked like a decent addition, and the hope was that he would be even more than that when Eddie Howe arrived as manager. After all, they had worked together at Bournemouth.
Initially, Howe got a tune out of Fraser, and the pint-sized winger was playing the best football of his Newcastle United career.
However, things began to change during the 2022/23 season.
Fraser fell out of favour, and almost left the club during the January transfer window in 2023.
After remaining on Tyneside, Fraser was banished to the reserves by Howe ahead of the 2023 Carabao Cup final. Following that decision, Howe stated that he only wanted committed players in the first-team.
From that moment on, there was no way back for Fraser. He did not play for Newcastle again, with his last Toon appearance coming on October 19th 2022. Fraser came off the bench as Newcastle beat Everton 1-0 at St James’ Park.
After spending last season on loan at Southampton, Fraser has finally gone. It is good to get him off the books, and now both parties can move on.
Luckily for Fraser, he will be spared a St James’ Park return this season, as Southampton have already played Newcastle on Tyneside. They lost 1-0, despite Newcastle having 10 men for most of the game.
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