Kieran Trippier Set to Leave Newcastle After Four-and-a-Half Years

Kieran Trippier is set to leave Newcastle United when his contract expires in June, closing a four-and-a-half-year spell that began in January 2022. Bruno Guimaraes has paid tribute to the 35-year-old defender in the club’s official matchday programme, calling him one of the leaders of the new project.

Bruno Guimaraes on Trippier

“Finally, I want to talk about Kieran Trippier. He was one of the leaders of this new project four-and-a-half years ago and I have learned so much with him. What a guy! He’s a legend for everyone here, I respect him a lot,” Guimaraes said. “The fans will judge him as a player and his many important games, but I want to say what a guy he is as a person. I always tried to learn at the beginning, listening to what he was saying to the team.”

He added: “I learned from his words and attitude on the pitch as well. He always gives 100 per cent for the club, for his teammates. I wish him all the best and it has been a pleasure to play alongside him.”

Trippier’s Newcastle exit

Trippier announced his exit last month and said the time had come to leave the club after four-and-a-half years. He said Newcastle was the club he has felt most at home in during his professional career and called winning a trophy with the club the best of his career.

His departure also closes the run of one of the first arrivals after the Saudi-backed takeover. Trippier was the first player to take the leap of faith after the change, and Guimaraes joined a fortnight later, with both becoming part of the group that helped shape the team’s early post-takeover years.

Eddie Howe and Newcastle

Trippier thanked Eddie Howe directly, saying the manager had the trust twice to sign him and gave him the opportunity to represent and captain Newcastle United. That leaves Newcastle losing a player he described as central to his best spell in the game, with the exit landing at the end of the season and in June as his contract runs out.