The ex-Liverpool custodian has joined Newcastle United until January 2023 with the option to extend it for six more months following the Magpies’ injury concerns in the goalkeeping department.
The German joins Eddie Howe’s side to provide them with some reprieve following an injury to backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Darlow’s spell on the sidelines, combined with Martin Dubravka’s transfer to Manchester United, had left Newcastle with just two first-team goalkeepers – Nick Pope and Mark Gillespie.
Karius, 29, was full of praise for manager Eddie Howe and the brand of football that he has his team playing. The German also expressed his excitement at working with the Magpies for the next few months, at least.
“I’m excited. It’s a good opportunity for me and a great project to be part of. It didn’t take me long to make a decision. Newcastle have a great coach and play really attractive football. I felt it was the right project for me and I’m excited to work with the coaches and my new teammates,”
he said.
Meanwhile, Howe reciprocated Karius’s glowing remarks by praising the German. He claimed to be pleased with the prospect of the ex-Liverpool player joining the first-team goalkeeping group.
“We are pleased to add Loris to our goalkeeping group. He is a very good goalkeeper with Premier League and European experience and he will provide competition and support over an important part of the season,”
the head coach remarked.
A former Manchester City youth product, Karius joined Liverpool in the summer of 2016 from Mainz 05 – the club he had signed for after leaving City. The German played two seasons for the Reds, with his spell reaching its highest and lowest points in summer 2018 when he kept the goal for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final but made significant errors to give Real Madrid a 3-1 win.
Alisson’s arrival pushed Karius out on loan to Besiktas for two seasons and later Union Berlin for one. He returned to his parent club in the summer of 2021 and left a year later without making another appearance upon the expiration of his contract.
