The latest in a growing list of departures from Newcastle United has officially been confirmed.
This window has seen a spate of squad stars and youngsters alike leave St James’ Park, such as Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson and Isaac Hayden.
The goalkeeping department in particular has seen a dramatic shakeup this summer, with Aaron Ramsdale’s arrival from Southampton balanced by Martin Dubravka’s departure for Burnley.
And now another goalkeeper is onto pastures new, and it’s hardly a surprising one after the year he’s had…
The club have officially announced that Odysseas Vlachodimos has joined Spanish side Sevilla on loan for the 25/26 season.
The Greek international joined us from Nottingham Forest last season as part of a controversial ‘swap’ style deal, with Elliot Anderson heading to the City Ground in return.
But the former Benfica shotstopper only managed a single competitive appearance for us, as he’s struggled to earn minutes considering how competitive the goalkeeper position is in our current squad.
With this being a loan move, we avoid facing a PSR disaster by selling him on a permanent deal.
Having previously rejected a loan move to Mexican side Pumas, there had been talk about Vlachodimos moving to Villarreal. Instead, he faces a big task ahead of him helping a struggling Sevilla side avoid relegation after they scraped survival last season.
In a very brief statement on the official social media channels, the club commented “Good Luck, Oddy!” ahead of his move back to the continent.
Like fellow keeper Dubravka, this move for Vlachodimos is likely inspired by his desire to earn first team minutes ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
However, unless Sevilla cough up close to the £20m we initially paid to bring him to Tyneside last summer, then it’s a near certainty that Vlachodimos will return to us next year.
And considering our future plans to get a younger keeper to eventually phase out Nick Pope, it’s unlikely the former Forest man stands much chance of appearing again for us.