Newcastle United confirm first senior departure of the summer

Isaac Hayden has joined Norwich City on loan for the 2022/23 season, which could turn into a permanent switch next summer.

The Canaries have an obligation to buy the midfielder should specific performance-related criteria - believed to be promotion to the Premier League - be met.

Hayden joined the Magpies from Arsenal in 2016 and helped the club earn promotion back to England’s top-flight at the first attempt by lifting the Championship title.

The 27-year-old has made 171 appearances for United in his six years at St. James’ Park - scoring seven goals.

Hayden’s last outing for Newcastle came during the 4-0 home defeat to Manchester City in December.

He was left out of Eddie Howe’s 25-man squad after undergoing surgery on his knee.

Now back fit, Hayden is eyeing a return to the top-flight with Dean Smith’s Norwich City.

“I am absolutely delighted,” Haydhis is a fantastic club. Everything is well run, it has got a good infrastructure and the stadium and the fan base is great.

“I am here to try to help the team get back to the Premier League. The facilities at the training ground are great and changed significantly from when I have visited before. I’ve also looked at our squad and I want to add to that and help get us promoted straight away.

“The head coach was a big factor for me. He called me straight away and saw that I was out of the picture at Newcastle. I had spoken to him a few times before and he always struck me as somebody who was trying to do the right things and doing things very well at football clubs.”