Norwich City: Jacob Murphy’s relishing Champions League with Newcastle

Jacob Murphy is relishing the prospect of fulfilling a dream by playing in the Champions League with Newcastle United next season.

The ex-Norwich City academy graduate has played a major role in Eddie Howe’s side that confirmed their qualification into the European qualification with a goalless draw against Dean Smith’s relegation-threatened Leicester side on Monday night.

Murphy, who won the FA Youth Cup with City a decade ago this month, has made 34 Premier League appearances this term and become a trusted figure in Newcastle’s side that look set to record a third-placed finish in the top-flight this season.

The winger has wrestled his spell at St James’ Park back from the brink after loan spells in the Championship with West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday in 2019/20 – but is now a key part of the squad.

Norwich sold Murphy to Newcastle in a deal worth £12.5million back in July 2017, with the 28-year-old relishing the chance to play for his boyhood club. Since, he has made nearly 150 appearances for the Magpies.

Despite some turbulence throughout his spell in the North East – Murphy is set to be playing in the Champions League next season.

Considering the position of the club when he joined, before the takeover by Saudi-based group PIF back in 2021, Murphy admitted the prospect of European football returning to St James’ Park felt like a dream come true.

“I couldn’t ever had dreamed this,” Murphy told Newcastle’s club channels. “It’s better than what I could have imagined and we’re there. I’ve got no words for it. Who would have thought it? But we’ve done it.

“Throughout the season we’ve been unbelievable and it’s just compounded effort, commitment and team spirit – we had the right ingredients to get success.

“I think everyone had a feeling (it would happen) – I can’t pinpoint the time but we’ve been solid for quite a long while, and then this dream has become a reality.

“It’s amazing. I’ve always said that I love being here and I love playing for my club. To be a part of that group that has got to the Champions League after two decades – you cannot write it.”