Sean Longstaff reacts to Jacob Murphy’s message after Newcastle United exit
Sean Longstaff has taken a significant step in his career by leaving his boyhood club Newcastle United to join Leeds United.
The 27-year-old endured a lack of game time for the Magpies last season, enjoying just eight Premier League starts.
But the midfielder has served Newcastle well over the years, having made over 200 appearances for the North East side since making his debut in 2018.
Longstaff has already featured for his new club Leeds, helping them draw 0-0 with rivals Manchester United in a pre-season encounter on Saturday, 19 July.
Newcastle star Murphy reacts to Longstaff’s Leeds message
While Leeds drew 0-0 with Ruben Amorim’s men on Saturday, Newcastle were hammered 4-0 by Scottish Premiership champions Celtic on Saturday.
Meanwhile, after featuring for the Magpies in their defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ side, Jacob Murphy took to Instagram on Sunday, 20 July, as he wrote: “Not the way we wanted to end a good week’s work, but great to have the group all back together.
“Shoutout to our travelling fans, so good to see our crowd again.”
Murphy’s message attracted a like from his former Newcastle teammate Longstaff.
Longstaff is a top addition for Leeds
Football Insider verdict
While Newcastle no longer view Longstaff as an asset, amid their attempts to balance Champions League duties alongside their Premier League responsibilities, he is a great addition for Leeds.
| Sean Longstaff stats | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 25 |
| Starts | 8 |
| Goals | 0 |
The Whites’ title-clinching exploits in the Championship last season epitomise the talent in Daniel Farke’s squad, whereas the former Magpies man brings top-flight pedigree to the table.
Fellow midfielder Ao Tanaka showed his class in the second tier last term, but Longstaff’s Premier League nous will pay the perfect complement to the Japan international’s talent.
Leeds are desperate to avoid the immediate relegation fate suffered by Southampton, Ipswich Town, and Leicester City last term, and the former Newcastle man’s presence should help Daniel Farke’s men do just that.
Alongside acquiring Longstaff’s midfield services, the Elland Road club have also recruited well in other areas of the pitch, signing defensive reinforcements such as Jaka Bijol.
Meanwhile, Farke’s side have been tipped to sell Brenden Aaronson in an MOT Leeds News exclusive.