Isaac Hayden has left Newcastle United.placeholder image
Isaac Hayden has left Newcastle United. | Manchester United via Getty Imag
The Newcastle United midfielder has had his contracted terminated early to be able to leave as a free agent.
Former QPR and Portsmouth loan star Isaac Hayden has been made a free agent after seeing his contract with Newcastle United terminated early this summer, as confirmed by the Premier League club on Saturday.
The 30-year-old hasn’t played for the Magpies since December 2021 and has not been part of Eddie Howe’s immediate or future plans in the North East for several years. Hayden signed a lengthy six-year contract with the club in 2020 but will not see out the final year of that deal.
A graduate of the Arsenal academy, Hayden made two appearances for the Gunners and joined Newcastle United in 2016. A statement from the club today read: “Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has departed the club as a free agent.
Newcastle United release Isaac Hayden
“The 30-year-old joined the Magpies in 2016 after starting his professional career with Arsenal and, during his time at St. James' Park, the midfielder made 171 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Most recently, he spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan with Championship side Portsmouth after spells with Standard Liège and Queens Park Rangers during the last campaign. Everyone at the club thanks Isaac for his efforts while with Newcastle United and wishes him well for the future.”
Hayden spent the back end of the 2023/24 season on loan at QPR and played an important role under Marti Cifuentes as the R’s fought off relegation. The midfielder made 17 appearances for the west London outfit and QPR had been linked with a permanent swoop for the player since the end of that loan deal last year.
Those rumours circulated during the summer window last season and in January of this year. Hayden eventually joined Portsmouth during the winter market on another loan spell and earned plaudits for his time at Fratton Park.
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Speaking about the player last term, Pompey boss John Mousinho said: “I certainly think Isaac does a very steady job in the middle of the park. You get the best of both worlds, you get that defensive solidity and you get him ticking over on the ball as well. We have to make sure we win the battles - win the battles of who we’re up against. That’s the most important thing.”
With Cifuentes having left QPR and Julien Stephan appointed, any chance of a QPR move for Hayden this summer has felt less likely. Harvey Vale arrived to bolster the midfield from Chelsea in January and is set to have a big role to play next season now fit.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has said that ‘Championship and European clubs’ are ‘already considering’ offering the player a contract following his release from Newcastle United. West Brom had been linked with the player in January before his move to Portsmouth.
Hayden had spoken of his willingness to return to QPR when leaving Loftus Road 12 months ago and has also hinted at a potential future at Portsmouth. When the south coast club confirmed survival, he took to social media and wrote: “Delighted to have achieved safety with two games remaining, for the players, the coaching and backroom staff, everyone deserves it for all the hard work and dedication through adversity at times this season. Hopefully we can finish the season on a high with good performances in the remaining games, giving momentum for the club next season.”
In other news, Championship legend with 51 assists drops hint amid Millwall and Middlesbrough transfer links.
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