Players seen L-R Kieran Trippier, Youngster James Huntley, Matt Targett, Jl, Jacob Murphy, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Ritchie, Callum Wilson, Fabian Schär and Paul Dummett pose for a photo
Newcastle United midfielder James Huntley has left the Magpies after 14 years at St James' Park.
Signing as a seven-year-old with the Academy, the 21-year-old, who featured on the bench in the Champions League last season, has opted for pastures new and now says he is looking ahead to the "next step" in his career. The youngster penned an emotional message on Instagram.
He said: "After 14 years at my boyhood club it's now time to move on and say goodbye. I will be forever grateful for everything this club has given me. I would like to thank everyone that has helped me throughout my career so far.
"I've got memories and experiences that will stick with me for a lifetime. It is now time to move on to the next step of my career.
"Thank you for everything, Newcastle United. Forever my club."
Huntley was a regular in training sessions under Eddie Howe and rubbed shoulders with stars like Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier at the first-team training base. The Ashington-born midfielder was loaned out to Spennymoor Town this season to gain experience.
But as Newcastle look to assess the next batch of young players and graduates like Huntley look to make a career in the game elsewhere, the club have reached decision time on a clutch of players. His youth team comrade Ellis Stanton is also leaving the Magpies this summer.
Huntley made a total of 39 appearances for the reserve team, scoring three goals and making three assists. He then joined Spennymoor on loan in February on a deal until the end of the season.
Moors boss Graeme Lee said: “It shows what kind of character he is that he’s with a Premier League team, but he wants to come out on loan to us and play games."
Huntley, however, only made five appearances for Moors, all as a second-half substitute.