Lascelles joined Championship side Leicester City on transfer deadline day, ending his long association with Newcastle United
Jamaal Lascelles
Jamaal Lascelles has left Newcastle United after 11 seasons on Tyneside
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When Jamaal Lascelles' transfer to Leicester City was confirmed, it felt like the end of a Newcastle United era. It should come as no surprise given the 32-year-old joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest as a fresh-faced 20-year-old back in the summer of 2014.
Across his 11-and-a-half year stay, Lascelles has seen relegation, promotion, civil war between Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley, the coronavirus pandemic, a takeover, Champions League football and the end of a 70-year domestic trophy drought when he lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium last year.
His Newcastle story has been wide-ranging, filled with ups and downs, and across his nine-and-a-half years as club captain, it is safe to say he has left his mark in the club's history books.
Having immediately joined Forest on a season-long loan deal, his first proper season on Tyneside was the ill-fated 2015/16 campaign which ultimately ended in relegation.
After Steve McClaren was sacked, Benitez was appointed as manager and quickly took a likening to Lascelles, who had been in and out of the side.
Still very much a youngster, Lascelles emerged from a torrid few weeks with enormous credit when he emerged from a crushing 3-1 loss to Southampton with a pointed message to some of his more experienced, higher paid team-mates at St Mary's.
"On paper our team is ridiculous, but we need to show more heart," Lascelles said. "We need players who care and will look after each other – we’ve lacked it. We’ve got flair players, tricky players, players with loads of talent, but we need more heart, desire and bigger characters on the pitch.
"No matter how good you are, if you don’t have that fight and hunger, it doesn’t matter."
Jamaal Lascelles shows his frustration after Southampton's third goal against Newcastle United at St Mary's on April 9, 2016
Jamaal Lascelles shows his frustration after Southampton's third goal against Newcastle United at St Mary's on April 9, 2016
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It later emerged he had a confrontation with Dutch international Daryl Janmaat in the changing room, criticising his efforts in the first half. Janmaat punched a door and broke his hand in frustration but Lascelles emerged from the shadows as a figure of hope Newcastle fans could put their belief in.
Despite ultimately suffering relegation, Lascelles was at the centre of a fresh core of players ready to guide the club back to the Premier League. So much so, Benitez handed him the captain's armband that summer as he led the Magpies to the Championship title.
"We have a few players now in the squad who have the character to be captain but Jamaal has proven himself to be a leader and a big personality in the dressing room and on the pitch," Benitez said back in 2016.
"At the end of last season he really developed as a character and a man. He has grown quickly and takes responsibility. He has teammates here who will help him do the right thing and he has the right mentality
"I am pleased that Jamaal will be our captain but I have also said to other players that they must too show their character, strength and leadership qualities to support the team."
Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey celebrate with the Championship Trophy
Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey celebrate with the Championship Trophy (Image: Getty Images Europe)
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He impressed so much across the next couple of seasons that the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham were linked with a move for him. But he penned a new six-year deal with the club in 2018 and Benitez was keen to stress he was a player that cared deeply for the future of Newcastle.
"I’m really pleased to see Jamaal sign a contract extension," Benitez said. "He’s the future of the club and someone who really cares. The fans are looking for players who care about the team and the club, and he is one of these players."
Benitez left and Lascelles was one of the steadying forces that made sure Newcastle stayed above relegation waters during Steve Bruce's tumultuous period in charge.
When the club was eventually taken over by a consortium consisting of Amanda Staveley, the Reuben family and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, few were more deserving of being on board for the exciting journey to come than Lascelles.
Game-time may have dwindled over recent years due to the signings of the likes of Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw and Fabian Schar but Lascelles' leadership has still been keenly felt behind the scenes.
It was apt that when Champions League football returned to St James' Park for the first time in over 20 years, Lascelles started the game as captain as Newcastle thrashed PSG 4-1 in a night that has gone down in Geordie folklore.
And even more so last season when, despite missing out through injury, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes insisted he lifted the Carabao Cup aloft in front of the jubilant Toon Army inside Wembley Stadium after Eddie Howe's side won the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
"I’d lost several cup finals over the course of my career so that made winning this one even more sweeter, and it meant to much to lift the cup with Bruno and Jamaal," Trippier told the club's official programme after the win.
"That the three of us did it together summed up this group and the ethos this manager has instilled in us.
"Jam was our captain when this club was in a very different place. People may think it was a gesture from myself and Bruno to get Jam up to lift the trophy with us, but I see it differently; for me, it was an honour that Jam let me lift the trophy with him."
Jamaal Lascelles with the Carabao Cup trophy after Newcastle's win over Liverpool
Jamaal Lascelles with the Carabao Cup trophy after Newcastle's win over Liverpool(Image: 2025 Allstar)
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Lascelles is still held in high esteem by his team-mates, his manager and the fans, with some calling for a testimonial match in recognition of his contribution to Newcastle United.
The last of his 253 appearances for the Magpies came way back in September's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and the time is right now for all parties to move on.
But Lascelles' legacy at Newcastle is secure and he leaves the club in an infinitely better place than what he found it. His part in that journey cannot be overstated.
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