Football
Exclusive: Martin Dúbravka’s Newcastle Days Numbered as Veteran Keeper Seeks Fresh Start
Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is ready to leave for regular football as he faces being surplus to requirements. The experienced Slovakia international is open to new challenges in the Premier League or Championship, with just a year left on his contract. Dubravka has had a successful career, winning multiple trophies and making over 400 appearances.
Manchester City FC v Newcastle United FC - Premier League by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA | Getty Images
Newcastle United shot-stopper Martin Dubravka is ready to leave the club to play regular football before he retires, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Our sources understand the experienced Slovakia international knows he is most likely to be surplus to requirements at St James’ Park next season as the club continue their efforts to sign Burnley keeper James Trafford.
Dubravka played second fiddle to first-choice keeper Nick Pope last season, but still played ten Premier League games across the season.
But at 36, the former Sparta Prague and Manchester United loan keeper knows his chances of starting regularly are respectively diminishing with age.
The 53-cap international still believes he can do a job in the Premier League and is also believed to be happy to chat to any top Championship clubs who might be interested in his player.
And with just a year left on his contract, the Magpies are believed to open to offers for the keeper who has been a solid servant for the club.
Dubravka joined Newcastle in January 2018 on the final day of the transfer window.
SUCCESSFUL LOAN
And after a successful loan spell the Tynesiders signed him for around £4.5million and after some starring performances, later went on to win the club’s coveted Player of the Year award in 2019-20 season.
However, England international Pope replaced Dubravka between the posts when he joined the Magpies in September 2022.
He joined Man Utd on loan and played two cup games for the club, but didn’t start a Premier League game.
But with 434 career appearances to his name across a distinguished career – which includes a decade at international level – Dubravka presents an attract option for any club who want a keeper with bags of experience.
He has won the EFL Cup twice during his career, once with Newcastle and also during his time at United, as well as winning the Slovak Superliga twice and the Slovak Super Cup when he played in his native country.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.