Anthony Gordon left Newcastle United to join Barcelona in the £69million deal.
Jordan Pickford of England and Anthony Gordon of England on June 02, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)placeholder image
Jordan Pickford of England and Anthony Gordon of England on June 02, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pickford and Gordon were teammates at Everton before the latter joined Newcastle United for £45million in January 2023.
Gordon spent three-and-a-half-years at St James’ Park, featuring in two Champions League campaigns as well as helping the Magpies end their 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup last year.
The 25-year-old scored 39 goals in 152 appearances for Newcastle, and there is one game in particular that stands out for the pair when Pickford saved a penalty from Gordon on the winger’s final visit to Goodison Park in November 2024.
But the duo are back competing on the same team this summer after being called up to England’s World Cup squad.
Jordan Pickford comments on Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona
Before heading off on international duty, Gordon was able to fly to Spain and finalise his move to Barcelona, a scenario Pickford believes benefits both the player and the Three Lions.
Both players featured in England’s World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand on Saturday night and will again be in friendly action against Costa Rica on Wednesday before getting their tournament underway against Croatia a week later.
Pickford said: “A lad from Everton, coming through the academy ranks, making his mark at Everton and getting his move to Newcastle. I think Ant believes in himself strongly, so credit to him for getting that move [to Barcelona].
“I’m glad it’s done for him and for England as well because now we need to move forward into the tournament. He’ll enjoy it after.”
Anthony Gordon thanks Newcastle United over Barcelona transfer
Gordon admits he is “really grateful” to have his future sorted before the World Cup after being hugely affected by his failed move to Liverpool during Euro 2024.
A deal had been lined up for Gordon to join his boyhood club as the Magpies battled to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), however they ended up selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively, instead.
“It’s an unbelievable scenario,” Gordon said. “I must thank Newcastle and Barcelona because they were both unbelievable with me. Both worked on my behalf and really looked after me through the process to get it done.
“You were at the Euros last time with me and I was going through the other transfer stuff, it was really difficult and I couldn’t really shake it, so I must thank both clubs. I’m really grateful that’s done.
“It feels good. It’s not bad! Really happy, it’s been an amazing couple of weeks. To be a Barcelona player was the dream as a little kid, so now I’ve got to go on and win everything with them.
“It came from quite late but once I knew it was Barcelona, they are the biggest club on the planet in my opinion, so there was never any doubt in my mind.”
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