Long-serving Newcastle United player bids classy farewell as departure is confirmed

As Freddie Woodman looks foward to the next step of his career, leaving Newcastle United is perhaps tinged with a little sadness.

For nine years, after Croydon-born Woodman swapped London for the North East as a 13-year-old in 2013, Newcastle Upon Tyne has been his adopted home.

Despite countless loan spells - including Crawley Town, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Swansea City - this summer is the first in nearly a decade where Woodman won’t be returning to Tyneside for pre-season.

The now 25-year-old was heavily tipped to become United’s future number one, particularly after lifting the under-20s World Cup with England in 2017, and winning the tournament’s Golden Glove award.

Sadly for Woodman, he rarely got that opportunity and made just nine first-team appearances, five of which came in successive at the beginning of last season in Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow’s absence.

A loan move to Bournemouth during the second part of last season didn’t quite work out but at Preston North End, where he signed for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday, Woodman’s career, in many ways, is only just getting started.

Woodman departs with every person’s best wishes on Tyneside. And in his own farewell message, it’s clear how much he has taken the football club and the city to his Cockney heart.

In a message accompanied by a video, which Geordie singer Sam Fender’s ‘Seventeen Going Under’ track is playing in the background, Woodman said: “Massive thank you to the staff, players and fans.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time in this fantastic city.

“I’m buzzing to see the hope and optimism now surrounding the club and wish everyone at Newcastle United the very best for the future.”

Woodman has signed a three-year contract at Deepdale.