Mace Goodridge had hoped to break into Newcastle United’s first-team but has now departed for Premier League rivals Burnley.
It has been a common criticism among Newcastle United supporters that there remains a worrying lack of young talent emerging through the ranks at St James’ Park. And it seems that the Magpies have bid farewell to two more of their promising starlets.
22-year-old winger Alex Gilliead will leave on a free after six years at the club, with Newcastle failing to find a way around an impasse in contract negotiations. The Chronicle believes that Rangers are interested, as are a number of League One and Championship sides.
And Gilliead has been followed out the exit door by 18-year-old central midfielder Mace Goodridge.
The teenager looked set for a bright future on Tyneside when the Magpies swooped to sign him from Manchester City, beating Leicester to his signature, but he never made a first-team appearance under Rafa Benitez.
And it seems he has now found a new home. Taking to Twitter, Goodridge has confirmed that he has joined Premier League rivals Burnley with the Chronicle stating that the Oldham-born youngster has returned to Lancashire on a free transfer.
This comes just one year after Goodridge, who can also play in a defensive midfield role, told the Chronicle about his desire to break into Newcastle’s first-team set-up.
The long wait for another academy graduate to force his way into the starting XI goes on.
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