Newcastle United have officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Mark Gillespie on a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old signs as a free agent from Motherwell, replacing the departing Rob Elliot as our third choice stopper, and the local lad has since shared a brilliant story on social media after sealing a ‘dream’ return home to Tyneside.
As he shares below, he was a season-ticket holder in the Strawberry Corner aged 5 and an Academy Graduate too in his youth days, yet admits that he never expected to be back 12 years on from his release as a 16-year-old prospect:
Here’s what he told NUFC TV after being unveiled by the club today:
“It’s an unbelievable feeling for me to sign for Newcastle,”
“Being a supporter all my life and to be released at 16 was disappointing, but I have gone away, worked hard and now I’m back, and I can’t wait to make the most of an opportunity every Geordie would dream of.”
What a great story.
Paul Dummett has also paid tribute to Gillespie – someone he knows well and played alongside as a youngster in the club’s Academy many moons ago!
He may not get a great deal of game time with Dubravka our no.1 and capable stoppers Darlow and Woodman also on our books, but you can’t help but be happy for Gillespie.
A boyhood fan back living his dream again!
