Newcastle United

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle's Newcastle United commentator

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The Fabian Schar news will be welcomed by supporters.

It was an important deal for Newcastle to do because there are lots of areas that require attention during this summer's transfer window.

Central defence probably isn't a priority now, especially when you have Schar for another year alongside Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Dan Burn.

Schar would have played more football this season had he not been injured. The ankle problem he sustained against Leeds United back in January kept him out for the remainder of the campaign because there was a subsequent infection when he was nearly fit.

He is a player Newcastle really missed because Schar gives so much.

He has contributed lots of goals during his eight years at the club. His passing, particularly the long-range diagonal balls, is effective. He is also willing to step out of defence with the ball.

Another side to Schar's game, which Newcastle probably lost collectively this season, is the edge he plays with and the nastiness he has. That is such an important part of what he brings.

He is a quality player and also well liked by supporters and his team-mates. He has been instrumental in Newcastle's successes during the Eddie Howe reign post-takeover.

Sporting director Ross Wilson described "complex discussions" around the new contract, so there might be a change in role for him and perhaps he won't be first choice now.

But getting him fit and having him as part of the squad, whether in the Premier League or in the domestic cups, is really important.

The move will allow Newcastle to focus their incoming transfer efforts on other positions.

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Fabian Schar says he is "very glad" to be staying at Newcastle for another season, after signing a new one-year contract extension.

The 34-year-old defender's current deal was set to expire at the end of June but he will now remain at Newcastle for a ninth season.

Schar has made 251 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle since arriving in 2018, and is the club's second-longest serving player, but has been absent since having surgery on an ankle injury in January.

"I'm proud to call Newcastle home," he said on his new deal.

"Everybody knows how happy I am, both in this city and with this club, so I'm very glad to be continuing that for another year.

"Last season didn't end the way I wanted in terms of my injury, but my full focus now is on getting back to fitness and helping the team achieve our goals next season."

Magpies boss Eddie Howe added: "Fabian has been outstanding since I arrived at the football club so I'm really pleased to see that he'll be staying with us.

"He's a really highly valued member of our squad, not only for his ability on the pitch but also for the leadership and experience he brings to the group."

Newcastle fans, are you happy Schar is staying for another year? And how big a role has he played at the club over the last eight years?

Let us know here

In a new BBC Sport documentary, James Milner reflects on a career that has ended at 40, after making a record 658 Premier League appearances with six different clubs.

Team-mates and coaches reveal the drive behind 24 years at the top.

Watch below or on BBC iPlayer here

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Ex-Newcastle defender John Anderson has paid tribute to former team-mate Kevin Keegan, who has revealed he has stage four cancer.

Keegan's family originally disclosed he had cancer in January and the football world has since rallied around the two-time European footballer of the year, who is having treatment.

"He's very, very upbeat, very bright all the time, sees the bright side of everything," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"You wish him all the best.

"He is an unbelievable man. He was great here as a player, lifted everybody, but then when he came back as manager, what he brought back with him - that entertainer side.

"Even if he didn't support Newcastle, they were everybody's second favourite side.

"Everybody loved to watch them with the style of football that they played. We send all our best wishes to Kevin because he brought an awful lot to this football club.

"You would love to think that he would come back for a game next season and come onto the pitch and get introduced and get the send-off that he thoroughly deserves.

"Knowing the character that he is, he'll bottle away and keep his spirits high."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

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Bundesliga commentator and journalist Kevin Hatchard believes Germany will want to utilise Nick Woltemade so he can "be on the end of attacks" rather than deep in a midfield position where it is "alien" for him.

After a promising start to his career at St James' Park, the German international struggled for form late in the season, and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe began to use him further away from a centre forward role.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Hatchard said: "I can understand why Eddie Howe has looked at him in that way [in midfield] because he is very unusual. He's a tall guy but he's not somebody who absolutely relishes the aerial duels. He's not really that kind of power player.

"He's somebody who needs runners around him. He has that ability to unlock defences with a clever touch or clever pass. Being in the thick of the action in midfield rather than being in the centre forward position is alien to him. It's something he has not done before and I think that's probably contributed to him not having the best second half of the season.

"Generally, I think [Julian] Nagelsmann wants to use him in and around the penalty area.

"Germany definitely want him in a position where he can be on the end of attacks. If they whip a ball into the box, they want him there, whether that's attacking slightly deeper or being in that centre forward position. I think wherever he plays, whether he's a nine or 10, and Bayern considered him strongly in the summer because he can cover both those positions, I think it's going to be in a much more attacking role than being part of the midfield."

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Chelsea have rejected multiple approaches for defender Josh Acheampong.

The 20-year-old is a graduate of the academy at Stamford Bridge and as reported elsewhere has been given 'untouchable' status in terms of his future.

It remains unclear whether Acheampong, whose Chelsea contract expires in 2029, is looking for a move away from the club.

However, Arsenal, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are known to be monitoring the situation while Bournemouth also retain an interest in Acheampong from last summer.

Newcastle have identified Atalanta's Italy right-back Marco Palestra, 21, as a prime summer target but could face competition from Manchester City, Arsenal and Inter Milan. (Mail), external

Manchester United want to offload Marcus Rashford to help new head coach Michael Carrick's transfer budget and, while Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham are monitoring the situation, the club are reluctant to sell him to one of their top-flight rivals. (Mirror), external

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Olivier Bernard says former team-mate James Milner's "devotion to the game" is the reason behind his successful 24-year stint in the Premier League.

After making his debut for Leeds United in November 2002, Milner went on to play for five other top-flight clubs - including Newcastle United, where he played alongside Bernard for a season.

"He was quite a surprise to be fair," Bernard told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We knew about him as a group, but we didn't think he was going to be the player he turned out to be.

"He came in at a young age and I can remember him being very shy and very introverted. He used to work hard in training. He was very dedicated, he wasn't like the other half of us who didn't put in as much effort as he did. He was a very committed player.

"Even at that age, he was determined [to become a great player]. There is a big difference between wanting to be the best and making sure you are the best. He got to that level with his pure dedication.

"He was a proper footballer with a proper attitude - and that served him well throughout his career."

Hit play above to hear the full clip or listen on BBC Sounds here

Also listen to former Newcastle defender John Anderson's thoughts here

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BBC Sport readers have been sending their well wishes to former Newcastle United forward and manager Kevin Keegan, who has revealed he has stage four cancer.

Keegan's family originally disclosed he had cancer in January, after the 75-year-old had "further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms" in hospital.

The football world has since rallied around the two-time European footballer of the year, who is having treatment.

Newcastle also published a statement, sending their "heartfelt support" and "warmest wishes" to Keegan and his family following his diagnosis.

Here are some of the messages to the St James' Park icon:

Dave: The only British player to win the Ballon d'Or twice and also a legend at every club he has played for. He has always come across as a genuine and lovely guy. There can be few people, if any at all, who don't like him! I hope he reads all of the great comments people have made so that he knows how highly he is regarded.

Cheric: I'm a Liverpool fan and I met Kevin Keegan when I'd travelled overnight to see Norwich play Liverpool. I was about 16 years old at the time. Kevin and Peter Cormack saw me and a mate early in the morning and they asked if we'd had breakfast. We said no, so Kevin offered us money to go and get something to eat. We didn't accept it, but what a man. I've always loved him as a player and a manager. I pray that he beats the cancer.

Colby: An absolute hero of mine. An incredible player - try to find a video of his disallowed volley for Southampton. He would be worth £150m nowadays. He also managed the way we all would - it was full-on creative, attacking excitement. Love, KK.

Fordy: A footballer who had to graft so hard to get where he did. He wore his heart on his sleeve, as a player and a manager. Any true lover of football would know of his ability. I saw one of his best goals at Southampton, a mid-air volley from the edge of the penalty area which flew into the top corner. Sadly, he was fractionally offside so it didn't count. A great player. Sending you all of our thoughts, Kev.

Paul: What a man! He has a fighting chance, so let us all rally around him. I remember when he signed for Newcastle in 1982, when he was still a top-tier player. He saw something in Newcastle and he knew he could wake the sleeping giant. He is a living legend. Thanks for all you have done, KK.

Tony: Best wishes, Kevin. If you're reading this, I still have the birthday card you signed for me in 1983. I was there at your first game as Newcastle manager, when the whole of St James' Park felt something special was beginning. You have given me some fantastic memories of my club. If anybody can beat this, it is you, mighty mouse!

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We asked for your memories of James Milner's early years at Leeds and Newcastle and his best moments, after the 40-year-old announced his retirement from playing on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave, a Newcastle fan: Best memory was him scoring an absolute worldie against Manchester United under Glenn Roeder. Milner always grafted for the shirt.

Uzay, a Magpies fan: He was a great player and the Premier League shall miss such an important figure.

Robert, a Leeds fan: Top pro, always gave 100% in effort and commitment, both on and off the field. No club could ask for more from a player. Best of luck to him for his future, in whatever he chooses to do next.

Dave, a Whites fan: If Peter Ridsdale had not ruined LUFC in 2002, and eventually sent them into administration in 2004 causing the sale of all the top player, heaven knows how long Milner would have stayed with them with him being a Leeds boy.

James Milner has called time on a remarkable a 24-year Premier League career, in which he has clocked up numerous impressive and record-breaking statistics.

He made 964 senior appearances for both club and country, with his 658 Premier League appearances the most of any player in competition history.

He is both the youngest and second-oldest Premier League goalscorer, and is 10th in the competition's assist charts, providing 90 across his 658 appearances.

Those 90 assists were for 47 different players in the Premier League, with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino benefitting from more Milner assists than anyone else (10).

Among the records Milner holds during the Premier League era, there is the the most substitute appearances by a player (218), while only eight players have more than his 13 goals as a substitute in the competition.

His 658 Premier League appearances came across six different clubs and in February he became only the fourth outfielder in the competition's history to start a match in his 40s.

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Former Newcastle United midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from playing, bringing the end to a glittering 24-year Premier League career.

The 40-year-old, who joined the Magpies on a five-year deal from Leeds United in July 2004, played for six different teams in England's top flight.

After making his Premier League debut for Leeds as a 16-year-old in 2002, he went on to break the record for the most Premier League appearances.

Milner, who could play on the wing, in midfield and at full-back, won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Super Cup, two FA Cups, two Carabao Cups, two Community Shields and the Club World Cup throughout his career.

He posted a farewell message on Instagram, external, which read: "After 24 seasons in the Premier League, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career.

"From making my debut for Leeds United, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League's youngest scorer, I could never have dreamed of the journey I have been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.

"To have gone on to represent Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton - and not forgetting a memorable month at Swindon Town - has been an incredible privilege.

"Every club has played a huge role in my life and career, and I want to thank everyone involved - the owners, staff, coaches, team-mates and supporters who welcomed me and helped me along the way.

"I have been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments, from fighting for survival to winning trophies, playing in Europe, and representing my country England at two European Championships and two World Cups.

"But more than anything, it is the people and friendships I have made throughout the game that I'll cherish forever.

"To the fans, thank you. To those who supported me every step of the way, your encouragement meant more than you'll ever know. And to those who gave me grief along the way, thank you too - you all played your part in making the journey memorable and helping shape me as a player and person.

"To my family, thank you for every sacrifice, every mile travelled and every moment of encouragement. None of this would have been possible without you.

"I leave the game with immense pride, gratitude and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Football has given me far more than I could ever have imagined, and I will always be thankful for the opportunities it provided.

"Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey."

As Milner calls time on his playing career, we want your input. What were his best moments in a Newcastle shirt as a youngster, and what are your favourite memories?

Get in touch with your comments here

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham,Liverpool and Newcastle are all interested in AC Milan's Portuguese winger Rafael Leao with the 26-year-old keen to leave San Siro this summer. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

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Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Last summer was a turbulent one for Newcastle, particularly without an executive structure in place.

However, boss Eddie Howe believed the club would be in a position to make smarter and quicker decisions - in and out - following the appointments of sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive David Hopkinson earlier this season.

Gordon's situation felt the first real test.

It was clear the forward was the likeliest of Newcastle's key players to depart after he was left on the bench for each of the final four games of the season.

But would this turn into a situation which played out in public and dragged on like the Alexander Isak saga to Liverpool last summer? Not at all.

Progress on this particular transfer moved quickly in private.

Barcelona had a prior interest, but the club's formal talks with Newcastle only emerged publicly on Wednesday morning. By the evening, an agreement had been reached.

It feels like a rare big-money transfer where all three parties end up being relatively satisfied.

Barcelona land a top target before the window even formally opens, while Newcastle secure their second biggest ever transfer fee, and Gordon gets a dream move.

Newcastle ideally do not want to lose key players like Gordon, but the club simply have to get better at becoming more strategic traders and recognising when is the right time to sell.

Given the impressive Champions League campaign Gordon enjoyed, it felt like the opportune moment.

Newcastle are still likely to do further trading this summer as part of an extensive rebuild, but this first key sale feels significant in enabling the club to reinvest.

Factoring in potential departures, they could end up being in the market for a goalkeeper, full-back, midfielder and multiple forwards this summer.

Newcastle did not quite get it right when they brought in a similar number of players last year after losing out on some ambitious top targets.

So this window has to be different if the club are to bounce back following a disappointing 12th-placed finish in the Premier League.

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Anthony Gordon spent three and a half years with Newcastle after joining from Everton in January 2023, making 152 appearances, and was their top scorer this season with 17 goals.

"I owe this club a lot because, when I arrived, I was quite lost both in life and in football," he told the club's website as his £69.3m transfer to Barcelona was confirmed on Friday.

"The club has given me a sense of belonging and a sense of identity. It's allowed me to do what I always thought I could do. It's put me on the biggest stage and allowed me to perform for the shirt.

"It was really important for me to leave this place in a good way because I've loved every single minute of being a part of Newcastle United.

"This is an incredible club and one that I'll never forget. I'll be a fan for the rest of my life."

Newcastle were in a strong position to command a premium for Gordon as he still had four years left to run on his contract at St James' Park.

He was left on the bench for the final four Premier League games of the campaign by head coach Eddie Howe, but fans briefly sang his name following their 2-0 defeat at Fulham on the last day.

"While we're disappointed to lose Anthony, we understand that this is a big opportunity for him," said Howe.

"He leaves with our best wishes, and I am confident that he will go on to be a success, both with Barcelona and the national team at this year's World Cup."

Everton are in line to receive 15% of the profit Newcastle make on Gordon after selling the academy graduate in a deal worth up to £45m.

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We asked for your views on which players Newcastle should sign from the three relegated Premier League sides Wolves,Burnley and West Ham United.

Here are some of your comments:

George: I would take Jarrod Bowen in a heartbeat and El Hadji Malick Diouf from West Ham would be really good for squad depth for seasons to come. He could be sold for a good amount of profit if we needed the finances too.

Matt: Bowen would be ideal, but only at the right price. At his age there would be little to no resale value, so you're probably talking £30-35m max.

Mark: The obvious player would be Bowen. It was annoying we missed out on him all those years ago under Steve Bruce. Zian Flemming [Burnley] looks a good player.

Andrew: We need to be pushing for Bowen. Our right side of our attack has been weak for a long, long time and Bowen would add balance, experience and quality.

Arun: Kyle Walker [Burnley] would be a solid signing as he brings experience with Kieran Trippier leaving and he still has the pace required to compete in the Premier League.

Matt: Diouf from West Ham to back up Lewis Hall would be good, but probably too expensive. Expect Mateus Fernandes to go to a big club. Bowen would be perfect if younger. Hugo Bueno from Wolves if cheap and Mateus Mane.

Ollie: It has to be Bowen. What a player who would fit in so well at Newcastle. Plays for the team, great endurance and great intensity. Would love to see him on the teamsheet next season.

Ian: One player that has really impressed me is Taty Castellanos from West Ham. He is too good for the Championship. Buy him now, maybe we can get a good price.

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The most significant moment of the season - good or bad - was...

The capitulation at the Nou Camp in March. Newcastle competed admirably in the opening 45 minutes against Barcelona, having previously come within seconds of a famous victory in the first leg of this Champions League last-16 tie at St James' Park. But what unfolded in the second half in Spain put a completely different complexion on it and left Eddie Howe's side with some lasting scars after a 7-2 hammering.

The season has been a success or failure because...

Newcastle missed out on qualifying for Europe in a campaign where there were a whopping eight spots up for grabs. The Magpies reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and a third League Cup semi-final in four years, but they lost far too many games domestically, so it has to be described as a failure.

The unsung hero of the season is....

Harvey Barnes. That may seem a strange choice - Barnes is Newcastle's second-highest top scorer in all competitions this season - but the forward does not always get the headlines. He has popped up with some important contributions throughout the campaign.

If there's a player or staff member with more to do in future it is...

Yoane Wissa. The striker has bagged just three goals since completing a £55m move from Brentford. A serious knee injury hardly helped him, following a disrupted pre-season, but there have been too few glimpses of the goalscorer who shone elsewhere last season.

The major club issue or talking point lurking is...

The huge rebuild this summer. After such a turbulent window last year, can Newcastle get it right this time around without the wages of the league's highest-earning clubs and any European football whatsoever? They certainly have to after this bruising season.

The reason for hope going forward is….

Newcastle finally have a stable executive structure in place following the appointments of chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson. Whether it is the forthcoming transfer window or progress on major infrastructure projects, the pair have to ensure the club quickly gets back on track.