Isaac Hayden, currently on loan at Standard Liege, has indicated that he turned down a move to the Championship and hasn’t ruled out a potential return to Newcastle United in 2024. His transfer to the Belgian top-flight marked a significant departure for both him and the club, seemingly marking the end of the Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley era.
Hayden, along with Jeff Hendrick, Ryan Fraser, and Ciaran Clark, was seen as a reminder of an unpopular regime.
As one of the longest-serving members of the Newcastle squad, 28-year-old Hayden opted for a new challenge in Belgium instead of dropping down to the Championship, a division he had previously played in for three different clubs.
He expressed his contentment with Standard Liege and their passionate fans, stating that he wanted to experience something different as he’s approaching 29 years of age.
Hayden mentioned that, without disrespecting the Championship, he believes he can perform at a higher level when he’s in peak condition, having played for top teams in that division like Newcastle, Hull City, and Norwich.
Despite falling out of favor at Newcastle following Steve Bruce’s departure and not making any Premier League appearances last season, Hayden still has a contract at St James’ Park until 2026.
He hasn’t closed the door on his Newcastle career, drawing inspiration from the revival of players like Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff, and others under the management of Eddie Howe. Hayden’s primary focus is on Standard Liege, but he remains open to the possibility of returning to England in the future.
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