Newcastle United have confirmed that player is set to depart the club this summer after 23 years

The end of the season can be a tough time for clubs as players contracts expire and faithful servants finally leave the club and that is the case for a couple of long-term Magpies as Newcastle United have confirmed the upcoming departures of several players.

We were already pretty sure that Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie would move on this summer but as the prospect of playing in Europe was still around, there was a chance that Eddie Howe would offer the duo contract extensions in order to fulfil the "homegrown" quota for UEFA.

However, after Manchester United pulled off their shock FA Cup final victory, denying Newcastle their European dream, Dummett and Ritchie's futures once again looked to be elsewhere.

Today the club has confirmed that they, along with Jeff Hendrick, Loris Karius and Kell Watts will be released this summer.

Jeff Hendrick will soon no longer be a Newcastle United player

There won't be many tears shed over the end of Jeff Hendrick's Newcastle career amongst the fanbase, we're sure, while Loris Karius never got a chance to shine.

Kell Watts had potential coming through the academy, but it seems he fell short of expectations and will now be looking for a new club.

It may be a tougher one to take for Matt Ritchie whose eight-year tenure at the club is coming to an end. A positive figure off the pitch more than on it these days, Ritchie will be missed in the dressing room for sure.

Paul Dummett is bringing the curtain down on a 23-year-long Newcastle story

Similarly, Paul Dummett, who has been with Newcastle since the age of nine, will now leave the club at the age of 32. Dummy is another hugely popular figure in the dressing room.

We wish all the lads the best of luck wherever they end up, but we have a feeling we've not seen the last of Dummett and Ritchie, especially while Eddie Howe is at the club anyway.

While seeing players leave is rarely a positive thing, this is a good move by Newcastle as it shows that the club are moving forward and we're no longer holding on to squad players who'll rarely play just because they're good to have around the place.