Karl Darlow has opened up on his decision to leave Newcastle United for Leeds United - and his successful loan spell at Hull City.
The seasoned stopper arrived at Elland Road from Newcastle in the summer of 2023, joining a club still licking its wounds following relegation from the Premier League.
He was signed for an undisclosed fee amid speculation over the future of Illan Meslier, who ended up staying put and keeping Darlow in the understudy role.
It has been quite the journey across recent years for the 35-year-old, who has also pledged his allegiance to Wales and become their first-choice goalkeeper.
Karl Darlow has made 31 appearances for Leeds United since his move from Newcastle United in 2023.placeholder image
Karl Darlow has made 31 appearances for Leeds United since his move from Newcastle United in 2023. | Michael Regan/Getty Images
Swapping Newcastle United for Leeds United
He said: “I’d been linked here a couple of times before that in different windows. It was a place that always kept cropping up, almost three of four windows before I actually came. I felt there was something there, that I wanted to go and see what I could achieve here.
“Yeah, absolutely [it was the right move]. No doubt about it. I think it came at the right time for me at Newcastle. I’d been there a long time and don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the place and I love the club, but at the time I wasn’t playing and I was getting no younger.”
Hull City loan spell
He was a popular figure at the MKM Stadium, impressing over the course of his 12 outings.
Darlow said: “I went out on loan to Hull, really enjoyed my time at Hull, with the intention of getting out that summer.
“That’s why I did the loan, because I wanted to leave in the summer knowing I wasn’t going to be the first choice, I wasn’t going to be the second choice, and I didn’t want to play the third-choice role because I felt I could could give more than that still, at this time in my career. It came at exactly the right time and thankfully, Leeds United wanted me. The rest is history.”
Karl Darlow spent the final months of the 2022/23 season on loan at Hull City.placeholder image
Karl Darlow spent the final months of the 2022/23 season on loan at Hull City. | George Wood/Getty Images
‘Incredible’ Leeds United experience
Darlow has already experienced promotion to the Premier League as a Leeds player but there is more history to be written.
Daniel Farke’s men have the opportunity to buck the trend of promoted clubs going straight back down by retaining their spot in the top flight.
They can also banish memories of torrid FA Cup experiences by eliminating West Ham United at the quarter-final stage this weekend.
Darlow said: “It’s been incredible, hasn’t it really? From when I came in, the club had just been relegated, and then we get into the play-off final, the rollercoaster.
Karl Darlow’s Leeds United contract is due to expire this summer.placeholder image
Karl Darlow’s Leeds United contract is due to expire this summer. | Stu Forster/Getty Images
“We felt the lowest of lows losing at Wembley in the play-off final, to then bounce back by winning the league, and then coming into a Premier League season where no team survived who’s come up for the last however many years, and looking like we’ve got a very good chance of doing that.
“It’s been an incredible experience so far and I’m just hoping we can finish this season off the way we want to. And obviously the FA Cup quarter-final in there as well, which is something to be really proud of as a group.”