As Newcastle United players and staff soaked up the post-match applause from the St James' Park faithful on Monday evening, the show of support will have meant that little bit more to a select few who know they may not experience it again. Eddie Howe has consistently spoken about having to bid emotional farewells to some much-loved members of his dressing room - and this summer will be no different.
Loris Karius is one of those expected to part ways with the club when his contract expires in the summer. The goalkeeper, who was brought to Tyneside as an emergency replacement for Karl Darlow earlier this season, will depart Newcastle having played just one solitary game - the Magpies' first cup final in since the turn of the millennium.
Despite failing to make a single Premier League appearance, Karius took his place among the Newcastle players and staff at full-time following the Leicester draw and clapped the fans who backed him at Wembley Stadium, appearing to say his goodbyes. The German was flanked by his TV presenter partner Diletta Leotta, with the pair expecting a child later this year.
READ MORE: Staveley's Champions League response, familiar faces return and John Terry fumes in Newcastle draw
Leotta has already explained her preference on Karius' next move, recently admitting she wants the 29-year-old closer to her native Italy. “Would I like (Karius) to be closer? Selfishly yes,” Leotta told Gazzetta dello Sport. “But, at the same time, I wish him the best for his career.
“I don’t deny that it would be nice to see him play near me. Perhaps around Milan, or in Lombardy or in Liguria. In short, we can move throughout Northern Italy, but also to the centre or the south. It would be much more comfortable than in Newcastle.”
Karius' Newcastle career may not have panned out how he would have liked after failing to bring the Carabao Cup home earlier this year, but the goalkeeper has restored his reputation after the nightmare end to his Liverpool career.
"It's good to remind people I'm here, and I've still got a lot to offer. I'm not surprised I know that about myself, but people sometimes forget or have a wrong picture of you," he told the club's official channels earlier this season.
"For that reason, I think it was good. But I'm not surprised because I'm working every day, hard, which people don't see. It pays off eventually because football gives you a chance, an opportunity. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, sometimes it's always up and down. I was sure eventually I would get my chance."
READ NEXT
Jason Tindall's Champions League message and strong response to Twitter storm
Eddie Howe pays special tribute to Newcastle United fans who stuck with team through 'dark days'
Newcastle United one step closer to achieving Bruno Guimaraes and Amanda Staveley's ambitious vision
Staveley's Champions League response, familiar faces return and John Terry fumes in Newcastle draw
Eddie Howe well aware of what Newcastle's lofty finish means ahead of next term
