Kieran Trippier has announced he is leaving Newcastle United at the end of the season.
Whilst it feels like the right time, his leadership and drive will be missed come the start of the next campaign.
When Trippier signed for Newcastle in the January transfer window in 2022, there was immediate cynicism amongst the neutrals. After the PIF led Newcastle United takeover, it was assumed by them that he was signing purely for financial gain rather than to advance his career. Leaving Atletico Madrid after they had won La Liga the season prior.
Despite all the outside noise, Kieran Trippier proved in his first few weeks in a black and white shirt that he had arrived to keep Newcastle in the top-flight and be part of the project.
It was a disastrous debut for Tripper as Newcastle were knocked out of the third round of the FA Cup by League One side Cambridge United at St. James’ Park.
What followed, however, were three performances and victories that were catalysts for the club staying in the top tier. Goals against Everton and Aston Villa proving vital as Newcastle pushed on to secure a mid-table finish in his first season at the club. Although injury limited Kieran Trippier to only five Premier League starts that second half of the 2021/22 season, his move was a statement, and it was the start of a special journey.
When the 22/23 season concluded, all associated with Newcastle could not believe the pace of the rise. Finishing fourth in the Premier League and reaching the final of the Carabao Cup was ahead of schedule, Eddie Howe and his side showed the beast they were to become. Trippier won Newcastle United’s player of the year award and was also included in the PFA Team of the Year, with his consistent performances and goal involvement numbers admired both internally and externally.
At the start of the 23/24 campaign, there was real excitement on Tyneside for what the season would be. Newcastle was playing Champions League football, Sandro Tonali signed for the club, Alexander Isak was settled and firing, and the team had arguably the best right-back in the country at that time. But what followed wasn’t what was expected. Newcastle finished outside the European spots, Kieran Trippier one of those who struggled with form at times.
With Bayern Munich trying to sign Kieran Trippier in January 2024, it looked like he could have played his last game for Newcastle. Instead, he remained on Tyneside and played a pivotal role in what was arguably Newcastle’s greatest ever season to date in the modern era.
In the 24/25 season, Kieran Trippier made thirty appearances across all competitions, but his most important one was on the 16th of March 2025. It had been seventy years since Newcastle United had last won a major domestic trophy and this day was when immortals were born. When Kieran Trippier lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Jamaal Lascelles, it was seen as one of the greatest moments in the club’s history, and the man from Bury helped achieve this.
This season has been one of inconsistent form for Newcastle United and with injuries impacting, Kieran Trippier has had to play in the majority of games. With European football and the three domestic competitions, the games have stacked up for the thirty-five-year-old. But he has never shied away from the responsibility and has led by example as he always does.
As Kieran Trippier prepares to close this chapter, his legacy is already firmly written into the fabric of Newcastle United’s resurgence.
He arrived at a time when belief needed rebuilding, standards needed to rise, and he delivered both with authority and unwavering professionalism. More than just a leader on the pitch, he became a symbol of what this new Newcastle United era could look like and was a pioneer for what this club has achieved so far.
(Simon also has his very own blog)