Ryan Fraser is no longer a Newcastle United player, sealing a permanent move to Southampton with an hour remaining of the summer transfer window.
Southampton reveal that the 30-year-old winger agreed to terminate his Newcastle contract – he had less than 12 months remaining on his deal – allowing him to join the Saints on a free transfer following his successful loan spell last season.
Speaking after his permanent return to St Mary’s, Fraser said: “I’m probably the happiest man in Southampton at the minute. It’s been a long summer from the play-off final to now, but my number one goal was to get back here.
“Now that it’s happened, it’s one of my proudest moments to be honest. Probably second after winning the play-offs. So yeah, it’s really nice to be here. I think the journey that the players and the fans went through last season, we came together and it’s amazing to be back.”
📥 (1) Wee message pic.twitter.com/6Fp2bBlgCN
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 30, 2024
In an official statement just before 10pm on Friday night, Newcastle said: ‘Newcastle United can confirm that winger Ryan Fraser has departed the club and joined Southampton on a permanent deal.
‘Fraser, who spent last season on loan at St Mary’s, made 59 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies following his arrival from AFC Bournemouth in the summer of 2020.’
No ‘best wishes’ or ‘good luck’ message from Newcastle perhaps speaks volumes.
Good for us he is cancer literally
Henock nufc(Quote)
Money grabbing little **** could have moved at the start of the window but held on as long as possible before terminating his contract to bleed as much money out of the club as he could.
Dean Carlyle(Quote)
Literally?
Don’t think so.
JFA127(Quote)
I guess you are just being nice to the lad by not mentioning that the reason the transfer didn’t go through earlier was that Fraser expected Newcastle to top up his salary, and the Toon were having none of it.
Plus, it’s inaccurate to say Fraser terminated his contract. A footballer cannot “terminate” their contract without a corresponding action from the club.
It would be more accurate to say that Fraser agreed to his contract being terminated.
Glad to see the back of the little parasite.
BykerBill(Quote)