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Official statement confirms Newcastle United transfer - incomings needed v Liverpool after double injury blow Newcastle United transfers: Another transfer exit has been confirmed. Newcastle United defender Alex Murphy has completed a loan move to FC Kaiserslautern for the 2026/27 season. Murphy trained with the Newcastle first-team squad under new head coach Matthias Jaissle in La Manga before leaving the camp prior to Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win against Valencia. It left the Magpies without a recognised left-back as Lewis Hall also left the camp early as Under-21s centre-back Miodrag Pivas was deployed in the role. While Hall’s withdrawal was fitness-related, Murphy’s was due to an upcoming transfer exit. Nick Pope was also left out of the matchday squad against Valencia having been made available to leave Newcastle. The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel. The Magpies have now confirmed Murphy’s exit in an official club statement. The statement read: “Newcastle United defender Alex Murphy has joined Bundesliga 2 side FC Kaiserslautern on loan for the 2026/27 campaign. “Alex made his first start for the Magpies in January’s Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg win over Qarabağ FK at St. James' Park. “The 22-year-old, who joined the club’s Academy in 2022 from Galway United, made his Premier League debut during Newcastle's 4-1 win against Chelsea in November 2023. He has made a further six substitute appearances for the Magpies. “He completed a loan move to Bolton Wanderers during the second half of the 2024/25 season, scoring on his full home debut for the League One club. “He now joins a Kaiserslautern side who opened their league campaign with a 0-0 draw against Wolfsburg at the weekend. Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Alex the very best for the season ahead.” Alex Murphy gets his loan wish The 22-year-old spent the majority of last season for Newcastle as an unused substitute, making just six appearances in total. He did, however, start the Champions League knockout round play-off match against Qarabag at St James’ Park back in February. Murphy has captained the Republic of Ireland at Under-21s level and was even handed a senior call-up at the back end of last season but didn’t get on the pitch to earn a senior cap. The defender remained part of Newcastle’s first-team squad last season due to the demanding fixture schedule across all competitions paired with the club’s fitness issues in defence. Murphy spoke openly about wanting to go out on loan in January, but that was ultimately blocked due to a lack of options in his position. "If it was my choice, I’d be somewhere else playing games but it’s not always down to you," Murphy told the Irish Examiner last season. "You must accept that, keep doing what you’re doing and hopefully the chance will come. "It’s good to say that you’re a Premier League player and be in the squads every week, but as a player you want to play in games. Any player would be fuming to be on the bench for every game. It’s nice for a while but does wear off. "I’m delighted to be at Newcastle United, have no complaints about being there. It’s just wanting to play." NUFC need new additions Murphy’s exit also paves the way for a likely full-back addition given Newcastle’s current lack of options in the area. Tino Livramento has been out injured all of pre-season and is a doubt to start the new season, while Lewis Miley, who displayed good versatility to slot in at right-back last season, is also facing a race to be fit for the opening weekend.