Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow has revealed that he almost joined Championship side Middlesbrough in the summer, according to Shield’s Gazette.
Newcastle have decided to call upon Darlow to the starting lineup in recent weeks after the Magpies suffered four defeat in rows with Rob Elliot between the sticks.
Although, Newcastle haven’t really turned their fortunes around completely, they have seen their run of defeat come to an end with a draw against West Brom and the Magpies will hope that they will start getting positive results very soon.
While at first viewing Darlow’s return to first team looks insignificant, recent reports suggest that the move might be more significant than previously thought, as there was huge chance that the goalkeeper would have leaft the club.
Speaking with newspaper, Darlow revealed about the prospective move to the Championship and reflected upon his decision to not go through with the move.
Darlow said: “Potentially, I did think I’d played my last game. It has been pretty well documented – the position I was in during the summer, and what was happening, but playing for Newcastle was something I never gave up on.
“When the transfer window closed, it was time to knuckle down, but looking back, it was a tough period for myself. I’ve come through it and I’m feeling good.
“Hopefully, I can push on again. I’m back in the team and see if I can kick on. I was incredibly close to leaving. At the time I saw it as business when the manager told me. That’s the way to deal with it. That’s how it was explained to me.
“I was pretty close to leaving, yes (to Middlesbrough). I hadn’t got as far as my farewells to my team-mates. I had met and spoken to their manager (Garry Monk), and it was all ready to go.
“Newcastle were waiting on signing another goalkeeper, and it fell through for another reason. Thankfully, it did, because I’m still here and playing in the team again. It’s all good for me.”
