30-year-old Newcastle man now looks set to join Serie A side in the summer

Newcastle United goalkeeper Loris Karius' contract expires at the end of this season and will not be renewed.

The former Liverpool stopper was signed as an emergency goalkeeper last season as back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had been loaned to Manchester United and next in line, Karl Darlow had picked up an injury.

Worried that there was no adequate cover for Nick Pope, Eddie Howe made a bold move in signing Loris Karius who had been without a club since leaving Liverpool under a cloud.

Karius' errors in the Champions League final cost Liverpool their dream and the towering German was mocked endlessly for his mistakes.

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Loris Karius had a baptism of fire at Newcastle

Although he was brought in purely to make up the numbers, Karius ended up making his debut for Newcastle in their most high-profile game in years - the Carabao Cup final. Nick Pope had been sent off in the Premier League game before the final and with Martin Dubravka cup-tied and Karl Darlow still injured, it fell to Karius stand between the sticks at Wembley.

In fairness, he had a good game despite shipping two goals, but then he would lay dormant for almost exactly a year before making his second appearance in the 4-1 hammering by Arsenal last month.

Eddie Howe has often spoken highly of Karius and praised his professionalism, even extending his temporary contract last year, but when his current deal expires in the summer, his time at Newcastle will come to an end.

Loris Karius has an eye on playing in Italy

Karius' partner is a sports presenter on Italian TV so it's likely that he will want to move to Italy and his agents are now working to make that happen having offered his services to Serie A side, AS Roma according to Corriere dello Sport (via The Shields Gazette).

The 6'2" German recently hired an Italian-based agency founded by former Italy international Claudio Marchisio and he recently told Gazetta dello Sport that he has an eye on playing in Serie A regardless of his family situation but being number one is his aim.

“Of course, it would be a great solution if there were good options for me, regardless of proximity to my family. I have always followed Serie A and it intrigues me a lot, but it is too early to talk about the future.

"Claudio [Marchisio] and I are friends, I know him well and I think he is the right person. I want to go back to being number one like I always have been except for the last two years. When I play I do well and I know I have enough quality to perform at the highest levels again."

We wish the best of luck to Karius wherever he ends up next season.