Newcastle United
Newcastle must use the chance to sign this extremely talented 32-year-old free agent – would be shrewd
Why Newcastle United should snap up free agent Ibrahim Afellay
Championship side Stoke City announced the departure of Ibrahim Afellay last month after he failed to make a single appearance in the first six months of the season due to an injury suffered in pre-season.
Ibrahim Afellay, 32, endured an injury-hit, frustrating three-and-a-half-years at Stoke City that saw him make just 55 appearances across all competitions.
The Dutchman, who earned a big-money move to Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven before arriving in England in the summer of 2015, is now a free agent. Keeping that in mind, Newcastle United should move in quickly to sign the player.
Newcastle United broke their transfer record in the January transfer window by signing playmaker Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United, and brought in left-back Antonio Barreca from AS Monaco on loan until the end of the season.
Rafa Benitez
It was a successful transfer window in the end for the Magpies and gives them a push to avoid relegation from the top-flight.
Almiron, who scored 13 goals and supplied 12 assists in the recently concluded MLS season, will add a much-needed attacking flair in the final third, while Barreca will look to solve Newcastle’s left-back woes. Both the January recruits are likely to be involved from now and until the end of the campaign.
Benitez will surely be happy with how the winter transfer window panned out for him and he still has the opportunity to add another feather to the cap, however, with the market for free agents always open. The Spanish tactician could certainly bring more fluidity to his team’s play in the final third by snapping up Ibrahim Afellay.
Afellay’s once-promising career has been beset by various injuries but now back to full fitness, the Dutchman could play a crucial role in helping Newcastle achieve safety this campaign. A classy operator of the ball, the 32-year-old would bring in a lethal combination of creativity, dribbling skills and unpredictability that no defender ever wants to go up against.
Even though the Dutchman has lost some pace and agility due to recurrent injuries, he still has a lot to offer. Afellay’s creativity and skill in front of goal plus his ability to combine with the likes of Almiron, Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon would add some potency to Newcastle’s attack.
Read more: This Ligue 1 outcast would have been a perfect partner for Rondon at Newcastle and Benitez should have signed him
Available on a free transfer, Newcastle capturing Ibrahim Afellay is a no-brainer.
Newcastle United
Heidi Hills Hat Trick Helps Tottenham Women’s Under 19s to Big Win Over Newcastle as Young Forward Takes Season Tally to 10 Goals in Emphatic 7-2 Victory
Heidi Hills’ hat trick inspired Tottenham Women’s Under 19s to a big 7-2 win over Newcastle United in the Professional Game Academy League on Wednesday afternoon. The young forward got Spurs off to the perfect start at Hotspur Way as she curled home from distance inside four minutes at the training ground.
Although Casi Gregson grabbed a leveller for the visitors midway through the first period, Spurs showed a clinical edge in the second half to score six of their seven goals in the emphatic win. This is absolutely brilliant from Sabiha Jamal’s side, who have now extended their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions.
Wonderful Strike From Nife Aramide Reinstated Lead
A wonderful strike from Nife Aramide reinstated the lead minutes after the restart before Ruby Mace opened her account for the season to create a two goal advantage. Although the Magpies halved the deficit once again just before the hour mark, four goals in a 13 minute spell put any doubt of a late Newcastle comeback to an end.
Hills headed home the fourth before setting up Grace Bellwood for the fifth of the afternoon, making it four consecutive games with a goal for the young forward. She then grabbed a second shortly after to make it 6-2, which demonstrated the striker’s instinct.
Converted From Penalty Spot to Complete Hat Trick
Then, with four minutes remaining in the clash, Hills was brought down inside the area, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The versatile youngster stepped up and calmly slotted away for her hat trick, which is frankly exceptional for a player of her age.
It was Hills’ second hat trick of the campaign, following her treble against Gwalia United in the FAWNL Cup in October, and saw her move to double figures for goals in all competitions. Head coach Sabiha Jamal named Evie Northwood in the starting XI for her first start since October 2024.
Also read: Marc Skinner Blasts Man United Women After Latest Chelsea Loss, Calls The Blues’ Goals ‘Rubbish’
Newcastle United
Newcastle United Midfielder Signs New Contract Until Summer 2028 as Magpies Move to Secure Services of Rising Star Amid Promotion Push
Newcastle United midfielder Jasmine McQuade has signed a new contract with the club until summer 2028. The 23 year old has become a household name for The Magpies in the Women’s Championship and has been rewarded for her impressive performances with an extended deal.
McQuade initially joined Newcastle’s development team after impressing with Tyne-Tees neighbours Middlesbrough. She has since broken into the senior squad and established herself as a key player for Newcastle in their promotion push. The midfielder was part of the side that won the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division title back in 2023-24.
Twelve Appearances This Season
McQuade has made 12 appearances for Newcastle United in the Championship this season, scoring two goals. She has helped the club mount a serious bid for promotion to the Women’s Super League, with The Magpies sitting in the playoff positions as they chase a return to the top flight.
Newcastle have clearly identified McQuade as having a big future in the game and have therefore moved quickly to retain her services for an extended period. This is smart business from the club that cannot afford to lose its best young talent.
Over the Moon to Extend Stay
After signing her new contract, McQuade said, “I’m over the moon. I love being at this club, and to extend my stay is amazing. The club is so ambitious, we just strive for success. The club has no limits, and I love being part of it.”
These are exactly the kind of words Newcastle supporters want to hear from one of their rising stars. McQuade’s commitment to the project shows she believes in what the club are trying to achieve.
Newcastle United will return to action following the March international window. They face Sheffield United in their next Championship match at Bramall Lane on Saturday March 14, 2026.
Newcastle United
Newly-Appointed Manager Urges Newcastle Players to “Embrace the Chaos” Ahead of Managerial Debut
Tanya Oxtoby prepares to take charge of her first match as Newcastle United Women manager when Southampton visit the Gateshead International Stadium on Monday night.
The 43-year-old Australian was appointed on November 24 following Becky Langley’s dismissal in October, signing a contract until June 2029 that reflects Newcastle’s long-term ambitions under PIF ownership.
Excited to Be on the Grass Again – Tanya Oxtoby
Oxtoby admitted she has missed daily contact with players during her two years managing Northern Ireland’s national team, describing being back in club management as giving her “the biggest smile and buzz.”
She emphasized her passion for player development, stating that helping both players and staff improve represents a genuine privilege that drove her return to club football.
The former Chelsea assistant has spent recent days implementing her philosophy across training sessions at Newcastle’s Gateshead base, telling players to be brave, forward-thinking and embrace the chaotic nature of football: “My main message has been to be brave but also be forward-thinking and embrace the chaos, because football isn’t pretty all the time.”
Immediate Improvements Already Visible
Despite only conducting a handful of sessions since officially starting work, Oxtoby confirmed she has already witnessed improvements from the Newcastle squad. She praised the players for embracing her coaching methods and enjoying the challenges she sets, noting everyone at the club shares massive ambitions for where Newcastle Women can progress.
The Magpies sit fourth in the Women’s Championship after nine matches, though they have played fewer games than promotion rivals Charlton and Birmingham City due to League Cup commitments. Newcastle’s most recent home league fixture came on October 12, making Monday’s clash their first competitive match at GIS in nearly two months.
Tanya Oxtoby set for first game as Newcastle United Women boss
— UNLEASH THE MAGPIE TV (@_UTMTV) December 4, 2025
Bringing a wealth of experience from her time as manager of the Northern Ireland national team and as an assistant coach at Chelsea Women.
Tanya “‘THIS TEAM WILL BE BRAVE”#nufcwomen #newcastleunited #wsl2 pic.twitter.com/Kt3FXbU324
Also read: Who is Tanya Oxtoby? Australian Quits Northern Ireland Job to Move to Newcastle United
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