Steve Harper confirmed that he is leaving Newcastle this summer. The 38-year-old's current contract expires at the end of the season, and will not be signing a new one with the club he joined 20 years ago.

"It has been a privilege to be a professional at such a fantastic football club," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"If you had said to me as a raw kid from Seaham I'd be at the club for 20 years as a professional, I would have said you were mad.

"People describe the club as an emotional roller-coaster and it certainly has been. I've had some fantastic times here.

"There have been some difficult times as well, but I have enjoyed it all."