Tim Krul has posted a heartfelt message to Newcastle fans after the goalkeeper completed a loan move to fellow Premier League newcomers Brighton.
The 29-year-old stopper put pen to paper on a season-long loan move to the south coast club on Thursday’s deadline day, his third loan spell in two seasons away from Newcastle.
Holland international Krul posted on his personal Twitter account a long message stating that Newcastle will “always be in my heart” and told fans that they were “the foundations of this club”.
#NUFC ???? pic.twitter.com/krMll6ZW7A
— Tim Krul (@TimKrul) September 1, 2017
Krul is currently Newcastle’s longest serving player, after joining Rafa Benitez’s side back in 2005 as a 17-year-old from Dutch outfit Ado Den Haag.
However, he was found surplus to requirements on Tyneside this season with Rob Elliot, Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman all vying for a place in the first team.
Making his debut in November 2006 in a UEFA Cup clash against Serie A side Palermo, Krul has gone on to make 185 league and cup appearances for the Toon, keeping 53 clean sheets in that time.
Now, the Brighton goalkeeper has a season to prove to the Toon that he deserves a new contract with Benitez’s side, as he enters the final year of his Newcastle contract.
OPINION
The goalkeeper still boasts plenty of quality despite his long-term knee injury that has seen his Newcastle career stutter. However, it is unlikely that he will be given first-team football under former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton at the Amex Stadium, with Australia international Mat Ryan expected to start over Krul between the sticks. Krul must wait for his opportunity to shine at Brighton, but take his chance when it is presented to him with aplomb if he is indeed set to earn a new contract at Newcastle or earn a permanent move to Brighton.