The loan market can provide any club with a useful tool to get match action into senior players or hand young prospects an opportunity to impress at first-team level.
Under former manager Steve Bruce and current boss Eddie Howe, Newcastle United utilised the loan system with a total of 13 players making a total of 15 temporary moves away from Tyneside.
Their destinations ranged from a former Premier League club now plying their trade in the Championship to a Scottish second tier club and there were contrasting fortunes across the board.
Some players experienced Wembley disappointment, some failed to shine and struggled for game-time, whilst one wrote his name into the history books with a dramatic promotion-clinching goal on a remarkable final day of the season.
NewcastleWorld takes a look at the loan moves made by some Magpies players and gives an insight into how they fared in their time away from Tyneside.
1. Lewis Cass - Port Vale
Cass opted to join the League two club after a very successful loan spell at Hartlepool United. The defender made 27 appearances for Vale and looked close to joining them on a permanent basis before an ankle injury cut short his season in January. Cass has returned to Newcastle and has been offered a new deal. Photo: Morgan Harlow
2. Jake Turner - Colchester United
Former Bolton Wanderers keeper Turner joined Colchester United on loan during the summer transfer window and made 14 appearances for the Us before returning to Newcastle in January. He has since been released by the Magpies. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
3. Kelland Watts - Wigan Athletic
Watts enjoyed a productive loan spell at Plymouth Argyle in the 2020/21 season and followed that up with a successful year at Wigan Athletic as he made 35 appearances in all competitions to help the Latics to gain promotion into the Championship. Watts has signed a new two-year deal with Newcastle and will hope to catch Eddie Howe’s eye during pre-season. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
4. Matty Longstaff - Aberdeen
The Magpies midfielder endured a frustrating loan spell with the SPL club and made just three starts for the Dons before returning to Newcastle in January. Photo: Sammy Turner - SNS Group