Newcastle release 11 players as part of retained list as club begin summer overhaul

Newcastle have released a total of 11 players as part of their 2023/24 retained list, the club have confirmed.

The Magpies finished seventh in the Premier League, which would have ordinarily been enough to secure European football at St James' Park for next season.

However, Eddie Howe's side will miss out on Europe entirely after Manchester United won the FA Cup, meaning sixth-placed Chelsea will take England's sole spot in the Europa Conference League.

Newcastle suffered an injury crisis around the turn of the year, which directly impacted their hopes of a much higher finish.

Howe has so far remained tight-lipped on transfer plans, although has said he wants to keep forward Callum Wilson at the club amid fierce speculation over his future.

Now, the Magpies have confirmed that they have released five senior players, as well as six talents from the club's academy.

Long-serving defenders Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie lead the list of players set for release, with Loris Karius, Jeff Hendrick and Kelland Wetts also departing the club at the end of their contracts.

In addition, academy prospects Matty Bondswell, Kyle Crossley, Amadou Diallo, Jordan Hackett, Michael Ndiweni and Jude Smith will also leave the club.

The most high-profile of those academy releases is winger Diallo, who played in Newcastle's friendlies against Tottenham and the A-League All Stars earlier this month.

He made his Premier League debut in November 2023, playing against Chelsea as a late substitute.

Left-back Hackett, meanwhile, was signed from Tottenham in 2022 but failed to make a senior appearance.

Of the first team releases, Dummett is considerably the longest-serving player, having been associated with Newcastle since joining their academy in 2000 at the age of nine.

He made 196 appearances for the club, but only eight of those have come in the last three seasons.

Ritchie, meanwhile, helped Newcastle to promotion from the Championship in his first season after signing from Bournemouth in 2016.

A winger throughout much of his career, the Scotland international has played at left-back in recent seasons and made 13 Premier League appearances during the 2023/24 campaign.

Speaking about the releases, manager Howe said: "'I'd like to say a huge thank you to each of the players leaving the club this summer.

"They have all given so much to the cause in their own ways, and I know our supporters will join me in wishing them every success with the next step in their careers.

Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Loris Karius, Jeff Hendrick and Kell Watts will be leaving the club on the expiration of their contracts this summer.

Thank you for your contributions, lads! 🖤🤍

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 29, 2024

"It's easy to judge players by appearances and goals, but the contribution made to the club by Paul and Matt in particular really has been immeasurable over many years.

"They have had a huge influence on our progress as a team and as a club. They have been incredible people to work with.

"Their dedication, professionalism and leadership in the dressing room during my time here has been first class, and they will bring undoubted quality and experience to their next clubs."