Ex-Newcastle United man involved in shock transfer move to Australia after 6-game Southampton absence
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Newcastle United latest news: Former Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser has moved to Australia to join Western Sydney Wanderers on a permanent deal.
Former Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser has joined Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers on a permanent deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Fraser had spent two-and-a-half years at St Mary’s after leaving Newcastle United first on a loan deal during the 2023/24 season, before joining them permanently at the end of that campaign. Fraser moved to the south coast to link up with his former international teammate Russell Martin after being frozen-out of first-team matters by Eddie Howe at St James’ Park.
Fraser would make a total of 72 appearances for the Saints during his time at the club, including 18 in all competitions this season. However, the 31-year-old hadn’t been included in a matchday squad since Boxing Day and was not in the plans of new Saints boss Tonda Eckert who replaced Will Still as Southampton’s permanent manager last month.
Upon being announced as a Western Sydney Wanderers player, Fraser spoke of his desire to step out of his comfort zone and move away from the United Kingdom for the first time as a player: “I wanted to do something different, out of my comfort zone, and instead of signing for another club in the English Championship after already playing in England for 13 years, I felt this opportunity was too good to turn down to help the club get back to where they want to be,” said Fraser.
“My aim is to help the club in any way I can as we start climbing the league. We are halfway through the season and there is still a lot that can happen. There’s a lot to play for.”
Ryan Fraser’s quiet Newcastle United exit
Back in 2020, the capture of Fraser was seen as a real coup for the Magpies with Arsenal reportedly among the clubs interested in the winger at the time. Fraser joined Newcastle United on a free transfer after his contract with Bournemouth had expired.
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Fraser didn’t feature for the Cherries during ‘Project Restart’ when Premier League football returned after being halted because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bournemouth would ultimately succumb to relegation that season.
Fraser would be in-and-out of the Newcastle United team under Steve Bruce before ultimately reuniting with Howe at St James’ Park. Under Howe, Fraser would again be far from a regular on Tyneside before he eventually joined Southampton.
That move worked out successfully for Fraser who, under Martin, helped the Saints secure promotion back to the Premier League. A key part of Martin’s first-team, Fraser hinted at the end of that season that he would push for a permanent move to the south coast.
“I'll try my best,” he responded when asked if he would sign for the Saints permanently. “It's [promotion] probably the best feeling I've had in my career.
"Obviously, I have had other promotions, but this one doesn't come close. This is by far the best feeling I've ever had.
“I've said it for so long now but it's just the family, spirits, fans, gaffer, lads - I could just keep going and it's just, yeah, no better feeling. A lot was riding up onto this game and the lads were brilliant, just defending for our lives and showing a different side of us.”