Former Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle has now retired from playing.
Aged 36, he spent last season at Hibs before hanging up his boots.
One of many excellent Rafa Benitez signings, Dwight Gayle spent six years with Newcastle United, after Rafa persuaded him to drop from Premier League Crystal Palace to relegated NUFC in July 2016.
Gayle was only Rafa’s second Newcastle United signing, following Matz Sels through the St James’ Park door.
Dwight Gayle proved a great acquisition, his goals helping United get instant promotion and then his unselfish play was a big part in Newcastle then stabilising in the Premier League.
It was during his final season with Newcastle United that the big changes happened for everyone, 7 October 2021 the new Newcastle United owners replaced Mike Ashley and thankfully quickly kicked Steve Bruce out, with Eddie Howe coming in.
At the end of that 2021/22 season, Dwight Gayle moved on to Stoke City in a permanent deal.
The striker now watching on as his old club is unrecognisable from what he experienced at NUFC.
Dwight Gayle now talking about Eddie Howe, the Newcastle United owners and the Champions League, what has happened in recent years: “It has been absolutely amazing. I think the Newcastle United owners with the takeover looked for someone who they could keep for 10 years and take the club forward. In terms of bringing the club together, the players around, and the fans…they almost feel like one. I’m sure they will be very happy at that decision and Eddie Howe has taken them to the next stage in terms of winning a trophy and now being in the last 16 of the Champions League which is such an amazing feat.”
Yes, it has been some journey.
Dwight Gayle telling the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast after United defeated Qarabag: “I am so pleased for all the boys who have been there throughout all of this as well. To see them being successful is amazing and I’m sure they will be really confident going into the next round. They have got a lot of players who have come back from injury and they look really strong now. I think they will be full of confidence going into that round of 16.”
The Champions League last 16 draw is on Friday.
For Newcastle United it will be either Chelsea or Barcelona in the last 16, Dwight Gayle declaring: “Knowing a lot of the boys, I think they will want Barcelona. They will be less equipped for Newcastle’s counter-attacks and their high line can be caused problems by fast attackers. Eddie will be absolutely buzzing to get to grips with the tactical side of things and I think he would come up with a cunning plan to look after the attacking threat of Barcelona as well. That is a tie that the boys would be buzzing with.”