Mehrdad Ghodoussi issues 97-word Newcastle United statement after double announcement

Mehrdad Ghodoussi has paid tribute to Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie after it was announced they will be leaving Newcastle United when their contracts expires at the end of June.

Dummett is currently the Newcastle’s longest-serving player having first joined the academy 23 years ago. He made his senior debut in January 2013 and has gone on to amass 213 appearances, his last being the 4-2 win at Brentford on the final day of the 2023-24 season.

Meanwhile, Ritchie arrived from AFC Bournemouth for £12million in 2016 and alongside Dummett played a key role as the Magpies returned to the Premier League at the first attempt in 2016-17. The 34-year-old appeared 215 times and scored 25 goals with his injury time equaliser against Bournemouth in February proving to be his last.

Both players have had their game time heavily restricted in recent seasons but their contributions behind the scenes have been hailed by a number of key figures at the football club, including co-owner Ghodoussi, who on X posted: “I’d like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your dedication and service to the club over the years.

“A special thanks goes to Paul, one of our own. For him, it wasn’t just a job; it was living his dream, playing for his boyhood club. I also want to extend my deepest thanks to Matt, who has been an incredible example of professionalism both on and off the pitch.

“We will miss you all dearly, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

Also leaving St James’ Park at the end of their contracts next month are Loris Karius, Kelland Watts and Jeff Hendrick.

Karius made two appearances for Newcastle after arriving as a free agent from Liverpool in September 2022 — the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United and the Premier League loss away to Arsenal in February. The German goalkeeper is expected to sign for a team in Italy, where his partner and daughter are based.

Similar to Dummett, Watts joined the club’s academy aged eight before going on to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool in 2020. The 24-year-old has forged a decent career in EFL, making 100 appearances across loan spells at Stevenage, Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United.

Hendrick, meanwhile, brings his Newcastle career to an end having last featured for the club in December 2021. The Republic of Ireland midfielder, who joined as a free agent from Burnley under Steve Bruce in 2020, made 27 appearances and scored three goals before loan moves to QPR, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.