What next for Kieran Trippier?

But that had not necessarily been part of Trippier's "selfless" plan, as former team-mate Callum Wilson explained.

"He was not interested in lifting the trophy," said the striker, who is now at West Ham.

"It took myself and a few other senior players to say, 'Go on, get your hands on the trophy and lift it with everybody - all three of you do it together because it's a team effort'.

"Ultimately, he played a big part in that as well so I felt like that moment really summed him up as a character."

Such a prospect felt a long way off when the pair spoke on FaceTime to discuss relegation-threatened Newcastle's plight - several weeks before Trippier joined the club from Atletico Madrid in January 2022.

The right-back proved a catalyst, as the first signing in the aftermath of the club's Saudi-led takeover, and convinced others like Guimaraes to follow in the mid-season window.

Yet Trippier's decision to swap life in the Champions League for an immediate survival battle led to accusations of greed externally.

The reality was a little different.

The Bury native wanted to return to the north of England for personal reasons and took a pay cut to reunite with head coach Eddie Howe, who he previously worked with at Burnley.

There was not even a relegation release clause in his contract.

Rather than being a mercenary, the La Liga title winner's standards, approach to training and desire to help lifted a group which had only recorded a single victory up to that point.

Trippier's presence behind the scenes quickly struck former team-mate Jonjo Shelvey.

"He's a natural leader," the ex-Newcastle midfielder said.

"He made a move at a time when the club was struggling and came in with his know-how and knowledge, and helped us massively."

One of Newcastle's most crucial signings

Trippier's experience was evident even after Newcastle suffered a sobering FA Cup exit at the hands of Cambridge United on his debut at a sold-out St James' Park.

It was an afternoon when some of his frustrated team-mates stormed past him down the tunnel, rather than applauding the supporters at full-time.

Calm heads were needed and Trippier stood up in the dressing room afterwards. He told those around him to forget about the loss and just take one game at a time.

It set the tone.

Trippier played a crucial role in Newcastle pulling away from danger - scoring free-kicks in wins against Everton and Aston Villa - and continued to travel with the team after suffering a broken foot to support his colleagues.

He remained a key figure in the club's subsequent rise under Howe, as Newcastle ended a long wait for silverware last season and qualified for the Champions League in 2023 and 2025.

The current campaign has been far more bruising for all concerned - Newcastle lie 13th in the Premier League - and the club are preparing for a summer of change under Howe.

But Trippier's departure will still leave a gaping hole in the dressing room.

"He goes down as one of the best players that's played for me," Howe said recently.

"In my time here, he's been a model of consistency. Behind the scenes, he's had that will to win and will to help us prepare to the best we can.

"He's been outstanding on the pitch. He's been a really good leader and deserves to go with all the plaudits."