Now Rafa Benitez has committed his immediate future to Newcastle United, the club can now focus all of their attentions on getting back into the Premier League. One of the tasks that needed to be completed was the retained list, and that has now been submitted.
Popular defender and long-serving player Steven Taylor headlines those to leave the club. He moves on after 13 years at St James’ Park, but did struggle for game-time last season.
Most of Benitez’s retained list has focused on the younger players in the squad. A handful have ben told they are free to move on, whilst several have been offered new deals.
Swiss defender Kevin Mbabu has signed a new contract after the club took up the option on his deal to extend his stay on Tyneside. He has made a couple of appearances for the first-team but last season he struggled badly with injuries. He’ll be hoping for better luck further down the line.
Several younger players have been allowed to move on, those are Jamie Cobain, Louis Johnson, Adam Laidler, Lewis Suddick and Jake Trodd. Ben Pollock also joins those in leaving the club, and he has already agreed a contract to sign with League Two side Hartlepool United
Striker Tom Heardman, midfielders Liam Smith and Maculaey Gillespie have signed professional contracts with the club. Heardman has been given a chance to impress following some injury problems, whereas Smith and Gillespie impressed in loan spells away from the club at Blackpool and Carlisle respectively.
Kyle Cameron, Liam Gibson, Brendan Pearson, Callum Williams and the brilliantly-named Stefan Broccoli have also been offered professional terms.
