Newcastle United fans have taken to social to react to the news that midfielder Vernon Anita will be leaving the club at the end of the month when his contract expires.
The club announced on their official Twitter account on Friday afternoon that the 28-year-old will be leaving St James’ Park this summer.
The club has confirmed that @Vurnon Anita, Sammy Ameobi, Lubo Šatka and @VuckicHari29 will leave when their contracts expire this summer.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 9, 2017
The Magpies also announced that Sammy Ameobi, Lubo Satka and Vuckic Hari will also be departing the club this summer.
The decision spells an end to Anita’s five-year stint at St James’ Park and a number of Newcastle supporters took to Twitter to thank the Dutchman for his contribution to the club.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of their best tweets:
https://twitter.com/J_Young90/status/873206660420030465
https://twitter.com/ATKmichael/status/873200123605647360
Shame Anita especially is leaving Newcastle – would have liked him to have stayed #NUFC
— Liam Lawer (@liamlawer_indy) June 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/davemcnair16/status/873218460918185984
Actually quite sad to see Anita go but I suppose if we want to go forward as a club sentiment goes out the window. #NUFC
— j@ck (@jacknufc_99) June 9, 2017
Really gutted about @Vurnon been such a reliable player for so many years! One of my favourite players last season. Good luck Anita #nufc
— Cait (@CaittSmith4) June 9, 2017
Thank you to @Vurnon Anita! I'm very sad to see you go. #NUFC
— Will Burns (@WillBurns6) June 9, 2017
#NUFC Feel quite sorry for @Vurnon Anita being released by @NUFC today. Not world class but played anywhere he was asked for the team
— Mark Wallis (@MarkWallis9) June 9, 2017
Good luck to Anita… player with limited ability but with a big heart. Right decision for the club to move forward. #nufc
— Proudy (@proudy66) June 9, 2017
The thing that I admire most about Anita is that through difficult periods, unlike others, he never hid. ?? #NUFC
— Eddie's Mags ???? (@NUFC_Fan_) June 9, 2017
Anita signed for Newcastle from Eredivisie giants Ajax for a fee just under £7million at the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
Throughout his career at St James’ Park, he has always been an important part of the first-team and his versatility has provided his various managers with more options.
The Dutchman played a key role in helping Newcastle to achieve automatic promotion back to the English top flight as he made 31 appearances in all competitions last season.
Anita leaves the Tyneside club having made a total of 155 appearances and scored three goals.