Newcastle United did not even thank Alexander Isak for his services after he signed for Liverpool for a British record fee.
The Magpies made no mention of his Carabao Cup final heroics or his goals as they dedicated a mere 37 words to his departure.
Isak, 25, wrapped up the transfer saga of the summer on Monday as he signed for Liverpool for £125million on a long-term deal.
On the same night, Newcastle fans welcomed new striker Yoane Wissa with open arms – somewhat ironically after he treated Brentford in a similar fashion to Isak’s behaviour.
Announcing Isak’s exit, Newcastle wrote: ‘Newcastle United can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee.
‘The Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions.’
Newcastle released a ‘salty’ 37-word statement to announce the exit of Alexander Isak
Isak has signed for Liverpool for £125million, wrapping up the transfer saga of the summer
Despite his heroics with the Magpies, they made no mention of his goals or Carabao Cup win
At the top of the statement, they noted that the ‘read time’ for one minute.
What they failed to mention was that Isak had scored in the final as they won their first trophy in 56 years back in March.
Toon also omitted the fact that he had helped them qualify for the Champions League twice in the three seasons he spent there, and scored 62 goals in his 109 appearances.
But the manner of his exit – refusing to play and accusing the club of breaking promises – makes their brusque valedictory message more forgiveable.
‘A statement of few words for a man of few morals,’ wrote one major fan account on X.
‘This is one of the saltiest statements I’ve ever read. Fantastic stuff Newcastle! Petty begets petty,’ one user said.
‘You played this so graciously!! Good riddance to him – onwards!’ another said.
One commented: ‘Three lines, fair play man, he doesn’t deserve anything else.’
Fans have branded Isak a ‘rat’ for how he handled his exit – though he insists promises made to him were broken
Others took a more moderate view as they lamented the manner of departure for one of the best players in the club’s recent history.
One fan wrote: ‘We gotta be realistic he was great he helped the team in monumental ways, just his departure was beyond childish.
‘I still wish him the best, but he definitely ruined his legacy with the club!’
Another said: ‘Worst thing for me about the whole Isak situation is that it has tainted the greatest moment I ever had supporting this club – winning the cup.
‘Should have been the best day now but now just feels more than a little meh. What a shame it had to end like has!’
One commented: ‘Tarnished a tremendous time at the Toon. Lost all credibility and respect in the space of a few weeks. Pity it had to end this way.’
Isak’s transfer saga dominated the summer, particularly after he was absent from their pre-season tour of Asia and trained alone.
Eddie Howe always maintained that reintegration was possible, but as they lined up the signings of Nick Woltemade and Wissa, Newcastle finally felt comfortable letting him of their main source of goals.
Isak pictured arriving at a hotel in Stockholm in the early hours of the morning for Sweden duty
Newcastle’s statement was a mere 37 words and had a listed ‘read time’ of one minute
The Swedish striker will inherit the No 9 jersey formerly worn by Darwin Nunez who left the club this summer
Arne Slot has landed his target after a protracted saga lasting much of the summer window
Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Brentford forward Yoane Wissa in a £55m deal
They also signed Nick Woltemade for £65m recently to bolster their new-look attack
Isak arrived on Merseyside late on Monday morning and completed his medical in two parts, then posed for pictures at the AXA Training Centre before departing in mid-afternoon and boarding a 6.30pm flight to Stockholm to join up with his international team-mates.
He put pen to paper on a six-year deal and trumps the previous British transfer record that Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo two years ago, also eclipsing Liverpool’s record signing of £116m for Florian Wirtz earlier this summer.
Liverpool’s new number nine said: ‘It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for. It’s something I’m proud of and I’m really looking forward to it.
‘I think I have a lot to give, I think I have a lot to improve. I’m a striker but I always want to give as much as possible to the team, mainly goals but much more than that as well. I want to win everything.’
Newcastle wasted little time reinvesting the Isak money, having already smashed their own transfer record to sign Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade for up to £69m last week.
The 6ft 6in Germany international, nicknamed ‘Woltemessi’ by Manuel Neuer because of his surprising technical ability, scored 17 goals in 33 games for Stuttgart last season and finished as top scorer at the Under-21 European Championship.
The 23-year-old has signed a six-year contract at St James’ Park and is viewed as a long-term replacement in attack.
Then came a £55m deal for Yoane Wissa, who had been pushing for a move after scoring 19 non-penalty goals in the Premier League last season.
The 28-year-old DR Congo forward, who turns 29 this week, will add proven top-flight pedigree to a frontline suddenly missing its talisman.
