Newcastle United latest news: Two former Magpies have been involved in transfers this week.
At one point in time, there were very high hopes that Rolando Aarons and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni could be the next big things to emerge from the Newcastle United academy setup.
Both players were tricky wingers - and who loves a maverick and tricky winger more than Newcastle United? Aarons burst onto the scene with a goal against Manchester City during the Magpies’ memorable League Cup win in 2014, whilst El-Mhanni had become somewhat of a YouTube sensation and had previously spent time in the youth ranks at Chelsea.
The pair were willed on to be a success on Tyneside, but they spent more time away from the club on-loan than they ever did in the first-team, racking up just 29 senior appearances for Newcastle United between them. Aarons was responsible for 27 of those.
More than eight years on from the last time either were spotted in a black-and-white shirt, Aarons against Manchester City in December 2017, both players have been involved in transfers this week.
Rolando Aarons leaves Morecambe
Ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium last week, Newcastle United did a long read with Aarons reflecting on his time at the club. Aarons memorably netted his first goal for the club during Newcastle United’s only ever win at the Etihad Stadium. 11 and a half years after that goal, Aarons had been playing non-league football with Enterprise National League Morecambe before his departure from the Shrimps was confirmed this week.
Morecambe, who were relegated from League Two last season, sacked their manager Ashvir Singh Johal at the end of January sat second-bottom of the top-tier of non-league football. Aarons, meanwhile, had played 13 times under Johal, but failed to score in any of those matches.
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His departure from Morecambe, whom he had signed a short-term deal with back in September, was confirmed earlier this week. ‘Morecambe Football Club can confirm that Rolando Aarons has departed the club following the expiration of his contract,’a statementfrom Morecambe FC read.
‘Aarons joined the Shrimps during the 2025/26 season and went on to feature 13 times throughout his time. Everyone at Morecambe FC would like to thank Rolando for his efforts and dedication while at the club and wish him the very best in the next chapter of his career.’
Yasin Ben El-Mhanni joins Duhok SC
As Morecambe FC were confirming Aarons’ departure, it was announced that El-Mhanni had signed for Iraq Stars League side Duhok SC. The 30-year-old had been a free agent since leaving Spanish side AD Ceuta B during the summer following just one season at the club.
After leaving Newcastle United in 2018, El-Mhanni bounced around the lower divisions of England, signing for Scunthorpe United, Chesham and Harrow Borough before moving north of the border to join Scottish side Arbroath in January 2023. Signing for Duhok will be the first time he has played outside of Europe during his career.
Duhok, meanwhile, currently sit 9th in the top-tier of Iraqi football. They have won the Iraq All Stars League just once in their history, triumphing during the 2009/10 campaign.
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