Ryan Fraser breaks silence on frosty NUFC exit, Jack Ross new role & loan exits (2024)

Newcastle United's departing Scotland international Ryan Fraser has made it clear he dug his heels in with the Magpies to get his move to Southampton.

Saints boss Russell Martin had previously spoken of the difficulty of getting the deal done for Fraser as Newcastle worked on a settlement on the remainder of his contract on Tyneside with one year left on his contract. A lucrative payment was pushed through on transfer deadline day.

Fraser fell out with Eddie Howe in 2023 and after spending last season on loan with Southampton he was sent to train with the Under-21s this summer. Speaking once his deal went through Fraser said: "I was always intending to come back, I was going to go nowhere else. It was here or nowhere. I made that decision from day one when I first came through these doors.

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"When you step through the door, just meeting everyone. It's kind of like a family run club. So it's just that smile knowing you’re going in and you know you're going to be happy. I just think when you've got something like that, something so special, I think you do everything to try and keep a hold of it. So that's why from day one like I said, to come back. I was going nowhere else.

"So yeah, everything is done right at this club from top to bottom, and everyone's in the same boat going on the same journey, trying to be the best that we can be. And I think that's so exciting to be involved in."

Jack Ross in new role at Newcastle - for now at least

Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross has been handed a new role as reserve team boss alongside Neil Winskill at United. The pair replaced departing Ben Dawson who has left for Leicester City.

Ross had been in the position of head of coaching development at the Academy overseeing other coaches but after a season of struggle last term, Newcastle's reserves need some sharp focus after winning just five league games from 20 in 2023/24.

There has been no official announcement on the second string coaching position despite former stars like Lee Clark and Nobby Solano expressing an interest in the position previously. Newcastle's U21s lost 1-0 at Derby County on Friday night with the team sheet featuring Trevan Sanusi and Jay Turner-Cooke, who did not go out on loan.

Newcastle old boy Mike Williamson takes Joe White under his wing at MK Dons

The Newcastle youngster had a whirlwind experience on deadline day after putting pen to paper on a new deal and then setting off to MK Dons. White, still just 21, impressed Eddie Howe with his patience last season and ability to work with the first-team group while only getting a handful of appearances.

But the time has come for White to build on his loan stints at Hartlepool, Exeter and Crewe and he'll do so under the watchful eye of Williamson. A delighted Williamson said last night: "Joe is a technically gifted player who can operate in-between the lines. He's a creative footballer who will naturally influence games with his ability.

"We're extremely grateful to Newcastle United for trusting us with one of their most exciting talents this season. I'm really looking forward to working with him!"

Harrison Ashby also left the club to join Championship side Queens Park Rangers on loan while goalkeeper Max Thompson heads to Chesterfield and Jamie Miley put pen to paper for the season at Newport County.

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