Newcastle United have offloaded Odysseas Vlachodimos as the goalkeeper prepares to join Sevilla
Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos
Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United outcast Odysseas Vlachodimos has touched down in Seville to undergo a medical ahead of a season-long loan deal.
The Greek goalkeeper was mobbed by reporters and cameras as he landed in Spain, telling the assembled media he was 'very happy' to be embarking on a new journey in La Liga.
Vlachodimos has never been part of Eddie Howe's plans, despite arriving in a big-money deal, thought to be around £20m, last summer.
His arrival was part of the PSR-induced deal that saw Elliot Anderson head the other way, to Nottingham Forest, shortly before the financial accounting deadline.
Since then, Vlachodimos has been reduced to playing a bit-part role behind the scenes on Tyneside, playing just 45 minutes of competitive football since signing.
But Newcastle cannot afford to allow the 31-year-old stopper to depart on a permanent basis, due to the significant PSR hit they would take for selling him at a loss.
As such, a loan move is favoured as to protect United from having to report a confirmed loss on their books as they continue to navigate complex financial rules and regulations.
Howe is now working with a goalkeeping department of Nick Pope, new arrival Aaron Ramsdale, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie and youngster Max Thompson, with Dubravka also departing last week.
The two goalkeeping exits means the St James' Park exodus grows larger this summer, with Isaac Hayden, Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff also off the books in recent weeks.
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