Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos made his debut against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos made his debut against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United have allowed two of their senior goalkeepers to depart in the past week.
After Martin Dubravka’s permanent move to Burnley was confirmed last Thursday, Odysseas Vlachodimos has swiftly followed the Slovakian out of the exit door, joining La Liga side Sevilla on a season-long loan deal.
The Greece international joined the Magpies from Nottingham Forest last summer for a reported £20million with Elliot Anderson heading the opposite direction for £35m in an agreement that saw both clubs comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
But for Vlachodimos, the switch to Tyneside has been a difficult one. The 31-year-old’s substitute appearances in the 1-0 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon last October is his only competitive appearance, while he was named in the matchday squad on just 14 occasions last season.
Odysseas Vlachodimos joins Sevilla on season-long loan
NewcastleWorld learned last month that Newcastle were actively trying to arrange a loan move for Vlachodimos, having put feelers out to intermediaries. He now joins Spanish outfit Sevilla in search for regular first-team football.
“Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos has completed a season-long loan move to La Liga side Sevilla,” a Newcastle statement read.
“The Greece international made one appearance for the Magpies last season - as a substitute in October’s Carabao Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon - following his summer switch from Nottingham Forest. Everybody at Newcastle United wishes Odysseas well for the season ahead.”
Why Newcastle United are loaning - not selling Odysseas Vlachodimos
In an ideal world, the Magpies would prefer the player to leave on a permanent deal, but that is widely accepted to be near impossible for at least the next few windows.
Newcastle are being forced to loan out Vlachodimos opposed to selling him due to the huge transfer fee they paid for him last summer. Unless they are able to recoup a significant fee for Vlachodimos, any sale would go down as a significant PSR loss on the books.
Read More
For example, having paid around £20m for the player and put him on what is believed to be a five-year deal, this summer the Greek will be worth around £16m on the books. In a PSR world, it would mean Newcastle would have to sell him for that figure, in order not to incur a loss on their calculations.
Nick Pope & Aaron Ramsdale set to battle for NUFC no.1 spot
Nick Pope will begin the campaign as number one but will face competition from Aaron Ramsdale, who has joined on a season-long loan deal from Southampton which includes an option to buy next summer. John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie provide additional cover.
Ramsdale made his debut in Friday’s 2-2 draw with Espanyol at St James’ Park and saved a first-half penalty. Speaking after the game, head coach Eddie Howe said: “Obviously Aaron's penalty saves are a highlight moment for us and a really good start for his Newcastle career here.
“I think he's got great experience. From the young goalkeeper that I signed at Bournemouth to the man that he is now, he's been through a lot.
“A lot of positives, a lot of great career highlights. Obviously some tough moments as well like every player goes through. To the man that he is today, I think he's a more rounded goalkeeper now.
“I think he's ready to come into the squad and really add his value. He's a great character, a really positive guy. Very popular in the dressing room with his team-mates.
“He has been his whole career so I think he'll add a lot and of course on the pitch today he's seen a top save from a penalty and distributed the ball really well. So that was a really good home debut from him.”
Continue Reading