The 11 players officially leaving Newcastle United today in start of summer transfer plan

Newcastle United are set to allow 11 players to officially leave the club following the expiry of their contracts.

Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett and Jeff Hendrick are just three names set for pastures new this summer, with Eddie Howe trimming down his first-team squad ahead of next season. The Magpies finished seventh in the Premier League and narrowly missed out on European football in the process.

Loris Karius is also due to call time on his spell at Newcastle, with the 31-year-old once again on the lookout for a new club. Fellow goalkeeper Mark Gillespie is staying but is now likely to resume third-choice duties after the impending arrival of Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest.

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Hendrick joined the Magpies from Burnley back in 2020 but failed to break into the first team after loan spells with QPR, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday in recent seasons. Following the announcement of Newcastle's retained list, boss Eddie 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. 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."

Players set to LEAVE Newcastle United upon contract expiry (June 30):

• Jeff Hendrick

• Matt Ritchie

• Paul Dummett

• Loris Karius

• Matty Bondswell

• Kyle Crossley

• Amadou Diallo

• Jordan Hackett

• Michael Ndiweni

• Jude Smith

• Kell Watts (joined Cambridge United)