Newcastle United co-owner now pens emotional farewell on social media after club announcement

The end of the season can be the most exciting or the most depressing time for a footballer as the uncertainty of what lies ahead can come sharply into focus.

For many players, the summer is when their contracts expire and they are forced to look for a new club or fade into obscurity and that's a future that now faces five Newcastle United players after the club announced their departures this week.

Paul Dummett is leaving the club after 23 years, Matt Ritchie is also going after an eight-year stint, while Loris Karius, Jeff Hendrick and Kell Watts are all also bound for the exit door.

It will be especially scary for Dummett who, apart from loan spells at Gateshead and St Mirren, has been a one-club man since he signed for The Magpies at nine years old.

Mehrdad Ghodouusi penned an emotional goodbye to Paull Dummett and Matt Ritchie

Newcastle co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi took to X yesterday to give his thanks to the five departing players making special mention of Dummett and Ritchie.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your dedication and service to the club over the years. A special thanks goes to Paul, one of our own. For him, it wasn’t just a job; it was living his dream, playing for his boyhood club. I also want to extend my deepest thanks to Matt, who has been an incredible example of professionalism both on and off the pitch. We will miss you all dearly, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts."

We had expected Ritchie to maybe hang up his boots and take up a role at St James' Park as a coach or something similar, but it looks like he may instead opt to keep on trucking - pun very much intended.

The released lads should do fine, just fine

As for Dummett, the former Wales international could still do a job for a top Championship side or maybe even a squad player for a lower-end Premier League outfit.

Loris Karius looks destined for Italy at the behest of his fiancée, Diletta Leiotta, and well, if she was my girlfriend, I'd do everything I could to make her happy too.

24-year-old Kell Watts should have no problem finding a new club, he's young enough and good enough that he should find himself a decent club. As for Jeff Hendrick ... honestly ... who knows? We're not even convinced he actually is a professional footballer let alone an actual 79-times capped international.