Sky Sports in Germany have reported that goalkeeper Loris Karius has signed a one-year extension to his Newcastle United deal keeping him at the club until 2024.
It was heavily speculated this summer that Loris Karius would be looking for a move to Italy to appease his girlfriend, but now it looks like the 30-year-old is set to stay on Tyneside for another year.
Sky Sports in Germany have reported that the extension is all sewn up with their journalist Florian Plettenberg saying on Twitter: “Excl. News #Karius: He has extended his contract @NUFC for one more year! It’s all done and signed. New contract until 2024 #NUFC“
Loris Karius is a Newcastle player for another year at least
Karius was signed as an emergency goalkeeper following Martin Dubravka‘s whirlwind loan move to Manchester United last season which was immediately followed by second-choice ‘keeper Karl Darlow picking up an injury.
It was a move which saw the former Liverpool man play in between the sticks for Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley following Nick Pope‘s red card against Liverpool.
The big German performed admirably on that day despite Newcastle’s defeat, especially considering that was his first competitive match in nearly two years.
Karius has shown repeatedly in training that he still has the fight in him and Eddie Howe has said that he’s an ‘important’ part of what Newcastle are trying to do.
Karius signing up again will probably allow Karl Darlow to leave
Now it looks like Howe has backed up his words by getting the stopper to sign on for another year on Tyneside.
The news makes the Newcastle goalkeeper situation that much more clearer with Karl Darlow constantly linked with a move away this summer. Now that the Magpies have Karius all signed up they will move to sanction a departure for Darlow.
Whether Karius will get more opportunities to play next season is unlikely with Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka ahead of him in the pecking order, but it’s great to know we have another capable ‘stopper in reserve should anything happen.
