· 12 August 2025, 17:30
**Newcastle United have brought in England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan this summer after missing out on first-choice James Trafford.**
Ramsdale had been another long-term target of Eddie Howe's, so while Trafford was the priority, Ramsdale wasn't too far behind.
Following Ramsdale's arrival, Martin Dubravka moved to Burnley on a permanent transfer, and now [Odysseas Vlachodimos is closing in on a move to Sevilla](https://nufcfeed.com/newcastle-united-exit-looms-for-20m-psr-necessary-evil-as-loan-deal-agreed-and-medical-booked-1500993).
That has cleared things up slightly in the goalkeeper department, but the question is who will be first-choice this season, especially after Ramsdale's impressive debut against Espanyol, which saw him save a penalty.
> [](https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1955230845356122417)
Nick Pope has taken the No. 1 shirt at Newcastle United
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This afternoon, Newcastle United confirmed their squad numbers for the upcoming campaign, and there was a big hint dropped within.
Nick Pope has been handed the Number 1 shirt, which has been vacated since Dubravka's departure.
The former Burnley man had sported the number 22 since his £10 million arrival, but being handed the No. 1 suggests he is still regarded as first-choice.
Lewis Hall is confirmed to be our new No. 3
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It will be Aaron Ramsdale's aim to convince Eddie Howe that he should be the one picked each week, and given Pope's injury record, we're sure he'll get his shot at some point this season.
The post on Newcastle's website also confirms that Lewis Hall will now wear the number 3, while Anthony Elanga will wear 20 and Ramsdale, 32. Harrison Ashby (No. 30) and Alex Murphy (No. 37) have both also been included on the first-team squad list.
The coveted number 9 shirt remains vacant following Callum Wilson's departure. Let's be honest, we're hardly going to give it to Alexander Isak now, are we?