A Newcastle United farewell message has been issued following a player’s return to pre-season training at another club.

Aaron Ramsdale has thanked Newcastle United and its supporters for the ‘honour’ of playing for the club.

The goalkeeper joined Newcastle on loan from Southampton last summer which included a £20million option to make the deal permanent. But it was confirmed at the end of the 2025/26 season that Newcastle had not triggered the option and Ramsdale would return to his parent club.

It comes after the 28-year-old has made 23 appearances across the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup during his loan spell on Tyneside.

But upon returning to pre-season training at Southampton, Ramsdale took to Instagram to issue a message to the club and its supporters. The timing of Ramsdale’s message came as somewhat of a surprise, almost seven weeks after departure from Newcastle was officially confirmed.

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Aaron Ramsdale issues heartfelt farewell message

Ramsdale posted a highlight reel of his time at Newcastle along with the caption: “As pre season begins I want to take the time to thank @nufc and everyone associated with the football club for the honour and responsibility of playing for your football club.

“Thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Toon with lots of learning too! The passion you fans have for the football club I have nothing but respect for and thank you for supporting me along the way.Big love to the boys man!

“What a group we had, top people so many laughs, love you all.”

Ramsdale’s message was met with several warm responses from his former Newcastle teammates, including club captain, Bruno Guimaraes.

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Eddie Howe hails ‘unbelievable’ Aaron Ramsdale

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe signed Ramsdale for AFC Bournemouth in January 2017, working together for three-and-a-half-years before both left the club in the same summer. Howe stepped down as Cherries boss following their relegation from the Premier League in 2020, while Ramsdale rejoined his former club, Sheffield United.

"I've really enjoyed working with Aaron again, I think he's an unbelievable lad,” Howe said during the back end of the 2025/26 campaign. “Every time that I've worked with him, I've always had a great feeling about his personality and what he brings to the group - very, very positive guy.

"He's actually become part of the squad so quickly and a really positive part of the squad. Very good off the pitch, very good in supporting the goalkeeper that's playing and he's played a lot of games this year. I think he'd be really pleased with his return in terms of minutes and what he's given the team.

"I think we've seen a big improvement from the moment that he came to his level, his training performances, his game performances I think have been really strong.”

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