Ben Foster rejected the chance to join Newcastle United following Karl Darlow’s injury, according to reports. The Magpies were forced to enter the free transfer market after their backup goalkeeper suffered an ankle injury in training that could rule him out until the New Year.
ChronicleLive understands former Liverpool shot-stopper Loris Karus has joined the club but an official announcement has been delayed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Signing a backup keeper is ironic given the fact Martin Dubravka left Tyneside a fortnight ago to join Manchester United on a season-long loan.
Now, claims from reporter Pete O'Rourke suggest ex-England goalie Foster snubbed an opportunity from Newcastle. At 39, he has been a free agent since being released by Watford after their relegation in May.
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The veteran is enjoying his media work and his own YouTube channel, The Cycling GK, has amassed over one million subscribers. Speaking to talkSPORT last month, Foster flirted with the idea of retiring from the game.
“I left Watford at the end of last season,” he said. “Normally, when the season finishes you get a month or six weeks off and you jam pack your holidays in.
“(But) I’ve had the best three months ever. I’ve been on holiday, just doing normal things when the kids finish school. I’ve enjoyed being a normal person. I got to sit in the pub on a Saturday afternoon and watch the early game and the afternoon fixtures - it was brilliant.”
“One of my concerns was when the season starts I would miss it. The Championship kicked off over a week ago and then the Premier League, I didn’t get any of those feelings.
“I’m sitting there with a pint in my hand in the pub with a packet of crisps. It was like heaven. Because I have so much stuff going on on the side it keeps me busy. I get just as much buzz from that as I do from football.”
The 39-year-old also admitted he would need to consider his family if another opportunity came along. Living in the Midlands, the prospect of being a second or third choice away from home does not appeal to Foster.
“If something juicy pops up then I will look at it,” he added. “It has to logistically work. What I’m doing with all the digital media and the podcast, I’m really enjoying that. You are basically doing this and just talking.
“I’m happy cracking on with that. If something does pop up then cool, but if it doesn’t then I don’t think I will miss it.”
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