Didn’t Want To Be Third Choice At Newcastle Admits Leeds United Star
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Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow has revealed that the Whites came calling at precisely the right moment, after he found himself on the fringes at Newcastle United, and he insists it was the perfect move for his career.
Skirting the fringes of the Newcastle squad during the 2023 season, the Welsh shot-stopper opted for a loan move to Hull City in the winter window and, after six months, earned the chance to head further west and join Leeds.
Darlow arrived at Elland Road and immediately slotted in as second fiddle to Illan Meslier, who revealed how the 35-year-old ensured he never slacked.
In Darlow’s second season at Leeds, the Frenchman featured in most games, but a couple of costly errors opened the door for the 35-year-old, who played seven matches toward the end of the campaign as the Whites went unbeaten, securing the Championship.
This season, the experienced custodian has stepped up once more, taking over from summer signing Lucas Perri, who struggled between the posts and drew criticism, while Darlow has since kept three clean sheets in ten appearances.
Darlow reflected on his time at St James’ Park, saying that despite his love for Newcastle, he was unhappy as third-choice goalkeeper and felt he could contribute more.
Recognising that he was unlikely to move up the pecking order, the 35-year-old arranged a loan move to the MKM Stadium, which he viewed as a stepping stone toward leaving Newcastle.
He emphasised that the move to Elland Road came at exactly the right moment and when the Whites showed interest, it gave him the perfect chance to continue his career and make the impact he had long hoped for.
Darlow said on the Official Leeds United Podcast (57:21): “Yes, absolutely, yes, no doubt about it.
“I think it came at the right time for me as well.
“I was at Newcastle.
“I’d been there a long time and, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved the place and I loved the club, but at the time I wasn’t playing and I was getting no younger, and I went out on loan to Hull.
“I really enjoyed my time at Hull, with the intention for myself of getting out that summer.
“That’s why I did the loan, because I wanted to leave in the summer, knowing that I wasn’t going to be the first choice.
“I wasn’t going to be the second choice, and I didn’t want to play the third-choice role because I felt like I could give more than that still at this time in my career.
“So yes, it came at exactly the right time, and thankfully Leeds United wanted me, and yes, the rest is history.”
The 35-year-old has featured 31 times for Leeds, and since taking over in goal this season, the Wales international has drawn praise for his commanding presence and for putting to rest any uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeping spot at Elland Road.
With Premier League survival still hanging by a thread, just four points above the drop zone, Darlow and Leeds face a high-stakes showdown against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford when top-flight action resumes on 13th April.
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