Newcastle United have confirmed they will not take up the option to make Aaron Ramsdale’s loan spell permanent, with the goalkeeper returning to Southampton.
Ramsdale arrived at St James’ Park on a temporary basis last August, following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
He was intended to provide competition for Nick Pope between the sticks and made 23 appearances in all competitions, though he lost his position by the end of the campaign.
The Magpies had an option to sign Ramsdale permanently, but they have opted against exercising that clause after failing to qualify for European football.
Ramsdale also recently missed out on England’s World Cup squad, with Dean Henderson and James Trafford taken as backup goalkeepers behind Jordan Pickford.
Newcastle confirmed Ramsdale’s departure on Tuesday, when they also announced that fellow goalkeepers John Ruddy and Max Thompson would leave as free agents.
Full-back Matt Targett, who spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Middlesbrough, is also departing after making 47 appearances for Newcastle between 2022 and 2025.
The club had already confirmed the departures of Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier, with the latter expected to sign for Wolves later this week.
Four senior players will follow Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth in departing the club upon the expiry of their contracts.
Aaron Ramsdale will return to Southampton while Matt Targett, John Ruddy and Max Thompson will also be moving on.
Best of luck for the future, lads
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) June 2, 2026
Fabian Schar, on the other hand, has signed a new one-year contract to stay with the club in 2026-27, with his previous deal having been due to expire next month.
Schar has made 251 appearances for Newcastle since arriving in July 2018, helping them win the EFL Cup in 2025 and qualify for the Champions League in both 2022-23 and 2024-25.
“I’m really pleased to be staying at the club. I feel like I’ve achieved a lot in my eight years here but I believe there is still much more to come,” Schar told the club’s website.
“I’m proud to call Newcastle home. Everybody knows how happy I am, both in this city and with this club, so I’m very glad to be continuing that for another year.”