Newcastle United loaned out Isaac Hayden alongside several other players in January.
Since Newcastle United were taken over in 2021, a lot of players who joined during Mike Ashley’s reign at the club were quickly loaned, sold or were left to train with the under-21s.
It was a case of the former for Isaac Hayden who hasn’t played under Toon boss Eddie Howe since December 2021. Hayden joined Norwich on loan for the 2022/23 season before two loan spells at Standard Liege and Queens Park Rangers last season.
Hayden spent the first half of the 2024/25 campaign training with Newcastle’s under-21s and even made a surprise start under head coach Diarmuid O’Carroll. Hayden played in the young Magpies’ 2-1 win against Halifax Town last October, but that would be the last time Toon fans saw him this season.
The club announced that Hayden had joined Portsmouth on loan until the end of the season, reuniting with former Newcastle star Matt Ritchie on the South Coast.
With Hayden now settled into his new environment, we take a look at how the 29-year-old has fared since leaving the Magpies.
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Isaac Hayden’s loan from Newcastle to Portsmouth
Since Hayden joined, Pompey have actually seen a turn in form with John Mousinho seemingly overcoming their poor start to the season.
While still at Newcastle, Hayden changed national allegiance to Jamaica having not played for England during his career. He is currently being managed by former Newcastle boss Steve McClaren who has already given him his first caps for the Reggae Boyz.
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McClaren gave an ultimatum to Hayden, saying that he needed to be playing consistent first-team football in order to continue his development.
Thankfully, things have been going well for Hayden at Portsmouth. So far, the 29-year-old has made 11 appearances for the Championship side, helping them to six wins.
Hayden has played all but one game since he joined, a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United. His most recent appearance came as a late substitute in Pompey’s 1-0 win against Leeds United on Sunday which also included Ritchie and Josh Murphy, brother of Newcastle star Jacob.
Isaac Hayden’s future at Newcastle
It’s evident that Howe does not see Hayden as part of his plans for the future so now sporting director Paul Mitchell must find the most suitable option for both parties.
The problem is that Hayden’s contract isn’t up until the end of next season, meaning that Newcastle may want a transfer fee for him to leave.
However, the club could look to mutually terminate his contract, but that would mean the midfielder would be due some form of payout from the club.
Mitchell must weigh up whether it is worth spending the money on releasing him early or if they can find another loan or even a permanent move for Hayden.
Newcastle are expected to sell and release several players at the end of the season – it’s likely that Hayden will be one of them.