Newcastle’s Head Coach is dissatisfied with Nottingham Forest’s goalkeeper’s refusal to continue in this match.
The 30-year-old has made a permanent move to St James’ Park, but the transfer money and contract duration have not been revealed. Vlachodimos joined Forest from Benfica last summer for a reputed £7.7 million, but he leaves after only seven first-team appearances in one season. The shot-stopper, Newcastle’s second summer signing following Lloyd Kelly, has extensive European and international experience, having appeared in 41 Champions League games and earned 42 senior international caps for Greece.Vlachodimos was born in Stuttgart and started his career with Bundesliga club Stuttgart before moving to Greece to play for Panathinaikos for two and a half years. Vlachodimos then spent five years for Portuguese heavyweights Benfica, where he kept 94 clean sheets in 225 appearances and won two Primeira League titles.Vlachodimos told Newcastle’s official website about his arrival: “I am delighted to be joining Newcastle United.” It’s an honor for me to be a member of this massive club, which boasts good players and a fantastic coach. “I can’t wait to start!” Manager Eddie Howe added: “Odysseas has extensive experience at the best European and international levels, and he joins a great group of senior goalkeepers. “That strength in depth is valuable and means we go into the new season with strong competition in a key area.
” Vlachodimos will want to battle for Newcastle’s number one jersey with Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka, but the latter is thought to have an uncertain future at St James’ Park.Dubravka, who has one year left on his contract, is seemingly at risk of slipping down to third choice in the pecking order and is believed to be keen to gain regular first-team football, which could lead to an exit this summer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have confirmed the departure of midfielder Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for a reported £35m, while Yankuba Minteh has completed a permanent switch to Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee in the region of £33m – two deals that will satisfy the Magpies’ concerns over breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.