DARREN Eales says he's a "Newcastle United fan for life" after an unforgettable two years as the club's chief executive.

Eales has played a key role behind the scenes in United's transformation since the takeover, but is now stepping down after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer.

Despite the diagnosis, Eales says he "feels great in himself" and will now playing a leading role in appointing a successor, with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan saying a "carefully considered search" will now get underway.

As well as being proud of what he's achieved during his time on Tyneside, Eales says he has fallen in love with the Magpies and the city since his arrival in August, 2022. And although he's stepping away, he's excited to see what the future holds for Newcastle, who are well set on and off the pitch, he says, to kick on.

"I'm feeling great in myself, stepping down was a decision I took for my family and health for the future," said Eales.

"At the minute it's very much business as usual for the club.

"I have a notice period now. I'm fine in myself. There'll come a time when I need the treatment and will deal with that.

"I didn't want to leave the club in the lurch. This felt like the right thing. My aim now in this transition period is to still work on the journey we're on as a club and setting up so the board can bring in a successor and give them the best runway so they can continue this exciting journey."

Eales added: "There's been so much excitement. From the Carabao Cup final to the Champions League and that PSG game. The fanbase has just been unbelievable. The support they've given the team, club and myself is incredible.

"There's been a lot of change and the way everybody across the club has stepped up and met that challenge head on is really good.

"There's a long way to go. There will be ups and downs but it's incredibly exciting and I'm proud to have been part of that journey."

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It's been an unforgettable couple of years on the pitch for Newcastle but Eales is equally as proud at what's been achieved off it.

He said: "It's incredible. If you look at it across the board, on the pitch we've seen the amazing things Eddie and the players have achieved. This season we're excited about qualifying for Europe again.

"Off the pitch, if you look at things like revenue, we'll have doubled revenue in three seasons which is pretty remarkable.

"But that's what we needed to do to get to to be a team that wants to be competing for trophies year in, year out. To have that sustainable success, we need to be growing all areas of the club.

"You look at the last three seasons, to see the journey of the club is exciting. We all know we have a long way to go but we're set fair in terms of the people we have at the club, the fanbase, there's exciting years ahead."

And Eales will be closely following as a supporter.

He said: "My twin boys are nine now, they're massive Newcastle fans. My wife loves it in the area. We're Newcastle fans for life.

"Who couldn't love this club? It's the best fanbase, one club one city, it's the club that absolutely deserves a trophy.

"I can't wait for that moment. When that moment comes and you see the city shut down for a week, round the world people will see what it means to Newcastle United and what an amazing club it is."