Newcastle United left-back Jamal Lewis. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United left-back Jamal Lewis. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jamal Lewis is a free agent after being released by Newcastle United.
Lewis officially left Newcastle on Monday following the end of his contract and is now hoping to rebuild his once-promising career.
The left-back attracted serious interest from Liverpool before joining the Magpies from Norwich City for £15million in 2020. But just halfway into his debut campaign, he fell out of favour under then-head coach Steve Bruce and failed to win his place back under Eddie Howe.
Injuries, coupled with new signings, took their toll on Lewis, who, outside of his first season on Tyneside, made just 10 competitive appearances - his last coming in May 2022.
The 27-year-old spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Watford before making the surprise switch to Brazilian giants Sao Paulo last September. However, a required ankle surgery meant he made a quick return to Newcastle in January.
After spending the second half of last season recovering, Lewis is now understood to be fit ahead of finding a new club.
Jamal Lewis linked with hometown club following Newcastle United exit
And according to reports, the Northern Ireland international could be offered the chance to rebuild his career at hometown club Luton, who he played for at youth level before moving to Norwich.
The Hatters are considering offering Lewis a contract with current left-back Alfie Doughty expected to leave following back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and Championship to now being in League One.
It would, however, likely require Lewis to take a huge pay cut having reportedly been paid £45,000-a-week at Newcastle.
Jamal Lewis admits ‘dark days’ at Newcastle United
Speaking in March 2023, Lewis admitted to having “dark days” at Newcastle.
“One hundred percent, there have been dark days,” Lewis said. “Obviously football is all glitz and glamour but it’s the darker side or the psychological side of football that is not talked about as much as it probably should be.
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“It’s been difficult going from playing week in, week out at Norwich to not playing and then getting injured and having a tricky injury that I can’t really get on top of. It can play a very negative part in your mental wellbeing.”
Eddie Howe speaks highly of Jamal Lewis
Despite failing to earn a place in Howe’s squad, the United boss has always spoken highly of Lewis and didn’t think twice about using him in pre-season last year.
“I’ve always really rated him and held him in high regard ever since his Norwich days when I was a really big fan of his,” Howe said. “Working with him, a great attitude, wants to improve and he’s really benefited from his loan spell. Coming back into the group, he’s trained really well.
“Ultimately, a lot will depend on what he wants, if he wants to continue playing football and it might be difficult for me to guarantee him that so we’ll wait and see.”
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