Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden joins Standard Liege on loan

Hayden, who has been frozen out of the first-team picture at St James' Park, has agreed a deal with the Belgian Pro League side for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 28-year-old joined Newcastle from Arsenal in 2016, and has made 171 senior appearances for the Magpies.

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He was a key part of the side that won the Championship title in 2017, and continued to play a significant role in the first team in the Premier League under both Rafael Benitez and Steve Bruce.

However, he has seen his prospects diminish completely under Eddie Howe, who sanctioned the midfielder's loan move to Norwich City last season.

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Hayden spent the summer training with Newcastle's Under-21s squad, and was not handed a squad number for the current campaign.

Despite interest from a number of clubs earlier in the summer, a domestic move did not materialise ahead of last week's transfer deadline.

However, with the Belgian transfer window remaining open for a longer period than the English one, discussions with Standard Liege have resulted in a deal.

Standard Liege are currently struggling in 14th position in the 16-club Belgian top-flight, having failed to win any of their opening six matches this season.