Gordon's transfer to Barcelona was officially completed on Friday evening
Anthony Gordon during his presentation as a Barcelona player
Anthony Gordon during his presentation as a Barcelona player(Image: 2026 Anadolu)
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Anthony Gordon's transfer to Barcelona felt like a move that suited all parties but that did not stop his Newcastle United exit from being emotional.
It was a surreal scene on Friday that started with Barcelona briefing the media that Gordon's transfer would be completed by 12pm and he would be unveiled as a Barcelona press conference shortly afterwards.
But some delays with the paperwork involved in completing a deal meant that start time kept getting pushed back and it was eight hours later that Gordon was officially a 'Culer'.
Newcastle announced his departure with a special tribute video before a final interview with club media where Gordon spoke with class about his gratitude for everyone associated with the Magpies after three-and-a-half years on Tyneside.
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"I owe this club (Newcastle) a lot because, when I arrived, I was quite lost both in life and in football. The club has given me a sense of belonging and a sense of identity. It's allowed me to do what I always thought I could do. It's put me on the biggest stage and allowed me to perform for the shirt.
"Since coming to the club, I feel I've improved a lot on the pitch, but this club has played a big part in the person I've become over the last three-and-a-half years.
"It was really important for me to leave this place in a good way because I've loved every single minute of being a part of Newcastle United. This is an incredible club and one that I'll never forget. I'll be a fan for the rest of my life."
It was a sentiment Newcastle fans shared towards Gordon, too, with the vast majority responding with good luck messages, thanking him for his time at the club and some were even proud of the fact he has joined a genuine super club in the Spanish champions.
Gordon then took to the stage and impressively spoke Spanish and spoke with excitement about his new challenge. But having left Everton under a bit of a cloud, he consciously ensured he left Newcastle on the right terms.
It was a far cry to the scene nine months ago when Alexander Isak's long protracted move to Liverpool was finally confirmed. There was no such fanfare from the club around his exit and the legacy he had built over three years at Newcastle was ruined by the way he behaved.
Isak effectively went on strike, accusing the club publicly of breaking promises and, eventually, got his move to Liverpool having lost all good will he had with Newcastle fans.
The Swedish international should have been remembered as a club legend. Gordon, on the other hand, has left on good terms and with the well wishes of Tyneside firmly with him as he sets about his new adventure in Catalonia after turning from a player with promise to an England international and a leading Premier League and Champions League winger under Eddie Howe's tutelage.
The Isak saga had a hangover effect for a large period of Newcastle's season, too. The Magpies played the first three games of the season without a forward and then Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa were signed late in the window without a pre-season with their new team-mates behind him.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool
Alexander Isak of Liverpool(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
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Gordon's departure has been done early and just as the 25-year-old would have learned how not to act when leaving the club when watching Isak's departure unfold, the club have clearly learned their lessons, too.
The deal could not have been done any earlier with Newcastle banking the money just five days after the end of the Premier League season.
They have not allowed a saga to take hold, they now have the best part of three months to source a Gordon replacement before the start of the new season and both parties have engineered a respectful exit from the club.
Newcastle could bank up to €1million per season if Gordon features in 60 per cent of fixtures, something he has never struggled to do during his time at United.
The Magpies have also agreed a sell on clause should Gordon make another big money move from the Camp Nou side in the next few years.
The optics of the deal could not have gone better for sporting director Ross Wilson as far as first impressions in the transfer market go. If the optics are as good when it comes to their incoming business this summer, the new transfer direction could well be a success.