'I'm devastated to be leaving, but this is football. This is the first blip, the fans are only going to demand more' Kieran Trippier exclusively tells FourFourTwo about his exit and the players who have 'sacrificed' themselves for the Toon

"In January 2022, Newcastle were months on from the takeover, cash rich but points poor and staring relegation in the face. The transfer window was make or break, but they needed more than just players, they needed characters. Trippier was the first, at the time a fully fledged England international playing Champions League football with Atletico Madrid. He had so much to lose, but showed faith so the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali would follow."

"Kieran Trippier led the way for Newcastle United in more ways than one. In the Premier League, Champions League and especially last season's Carabao Cup victory, ending the club's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, he was at the forefront, with and without the captain's armband. But his legacy on Tyneside is even bigger than that. Without him, the entire outlook of the Saudi Arabian-backed project would have been very different. In fact, it may have fallen at the first hurdle."

"His exit also helps signify the end of an era on Tyneside. Big changes are expected after a disappointing season at St James' Park, but despite his dwindling impact on the first team at the age of 35, the same character which made him so important on day one will be incredibly difficult to replace. He remains the man who sets the standard."

"On his debut, an FA Cup tie against Cambridge United at home, he was given the strongest indication that any dreams he wanted to fulfil in black and white were heavily in the balance. With angst and fear engulfing all around him, Eddie Howe's men fell to a shock 1-0 defeat. Trippier has been a defining figure at Newcastle since the Saudi takeover."

Kieran Trippier led Newcastle United across Premier League, Champions League, and the Carabao Cup win that ended a 70-year domestic trophy wait. His influence extended beyond performances, affecting the direction of the Saudi-backed project. In January 2022, Newcastle faced relegation danger despite the takeover, and the transfer window required more than talent, including strong character. Trippier arrived as an established England international playing Champions League football with Atletico Madrid, taking a risk while signaling faith that other major signings would follow. His departure marks the end of an era, and his reduced first-team impact at age 35 makes replacement difficult. He set standards from his debut, when Newcastle suffered a shock FA Cup defeat.

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