It was rather poetic to see Kieran Trippier start – and succeed in – the Carabao Cup final for Newcastle.
The England international was the first player to put his faith in Newcastle after the takeover in October 2021 – leaving Atletico Madrid for Tyneside in a £12m deal in January 2022 despite the Magpies being in real danger of relegation from the Premier League.
The first player to believe in our project.
Deserves every moment.
Kieran Trippier 👏 pic.twitter.com/AmV3gJoVTA
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 16, 2025
There have been many twists and turns for the Newcastle No.2 under Eddie Howe ever since, with the right-back even coming close to departing for Bayern Munich in January 2024 before a shock U-turn.
After rejecting the German giants, Kieran Trippier made a pledge to Newcastle fans which he has now delivered on.
What Kieran Trippier said to Newcastle fans about winning a trophy
After Bayern Munich failed to take the 34-year-old from St James’ Park last year, he told the Telegraph: “I am committed to Newcastle. It is always a compliment when a team like Bayern comes in for you. Nothing has changed since I arrived. I want to play for the club, create history and win a trophy.”
Despite slipping behind Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall in the full-back department, Trippier has shown real professionalism, keeping himself fit and ready in case Howe needed him.
That is exactly what happened ahead of the trip to Wembley after Hall suffered a season-ending injury, and despite going up against a fearsome winger in Luis Diaz, the man from Bury came out on top.
Not only did Trippier, who asked to leave last summer, provide the assist for Dan Burn, but he also limited Diaz to just one successful dribble and no shots – let alone shots on target – in what was a masterful defensive display from the experienced Englishman.
Newcastle could sell Kieran Trippier this summer
Trippier – who could have conceded a penalty at Wembley on another day – will only have 12 months remaining on his Newcastle contract this summer.
Kieran Trippier kept it real about that Bruno Guimarães moment 😅 pic.twitter.com/zgFARPeC2t
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 16, 2025
Such a situation leaves Newcastle with a decision to make – either keep the defender until he leaves on a free transfer, or sell this summer and recoup some of the £12m initially spent to sign him in January 2022.