Clubless, winless and injured - how five players released by Newcastle United are getting on


It's an inevitable part of football that even the most popular of players eventually move on. Newcastle United saw two long-serving stalwarts leave the club this summer, with Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett departing after years of service.

Neither would feature in Eddie Howe's plans for the future, and they were joined by goalkeeper Loris Karius, Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick and defender Kel Watts in heading for the exit door. Howe spoke in glowing terms of the contribution Ritchie and Dummett in particular had made, but time waits for no man, and United have moved on.

Only two have found new clubs, however, with three of the quintet still looking for their next challenge. Here's what each of them have been doing since leaving United.

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Matt Ritchie

The popular Scotland international played in just about every position for United in an eight-year spelll at the club, helping Rafa Benitez's side win promotion back to the Premier League as a flying winger, and then playing a vital role in keeping them there, often as a left-back.

He returned to the South Coast to join Portsmouth, where he began his career back in 2008, and he has so far featured five times for the newly-promoted Championship side, including a start against Sunderland last time out. Pompey have found life back in the second tier tricky, with John Mousinho's side yet to record a win, although they did pick up useful draws with Leeds United, Luton Town and Middlesbrough.

Paul Dummett

Dummett lived the dream at Newcastle, coming through the youth ranks to play for the first team for 14 years, with some incredible highlights along the way. He is yet to find a club since leaving United, although he has been pictured at the Portsmouth training ground ahead of a potential reunion with Matt Ritchie.

Loris Karius

The former Liverpool goalkeeper left Tyneside this summer with his partner, Diletta Leotta, reportedly keen to return to her native Italy. He only played twice for United in his role as third-choice keeper, most notable in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United.

Karius was said to be in talks with several Italian clubs, including Roma, but no deal has yet transpired and he remains a free agent.

Jeff Hendrick

It seems a long time ago that former Ireland international Hendrick marked his Newcastle United debut with a goal and an assist for Callum Wilson in a 2-0 win at West Ham in 2020, with United signing him on a free transfer from Burnley. After playing 23 times in his first season on Tyneside, Hendrick slipped down the pecking order, and only played another four times. He had spells on loan at Reading, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday, but is still looking for a new club.

Kell Watts

Promising defender Watts made a handful of first-team appearances, but was unable to break into the first-team squad after loans at Stevenage, Plymouth, Wigan, Peterborough and Mansfield Town. Now 24, Watts was allowed to leave this summer and immediately signed for Cambridge United in League One.

He made his debut on the opening day against Stockport County but has since picked up a hamstring injury and hasn't featured since.