Martin Dúbravka's Magpies journey | OneFootball

Checking in from Prague - January 2018

A 29-year-old Dúbravka, who had won two Slovakian top-flight titles with Žilina, initially joined the Magpies on loan from Czech side Sparta Prague on the final day of the winter transfer window, with an option to buy the Slovakia international.

The move forged a second goalkeeping link between Sparta Prague and Newcastle, with former Magpies goalkeeper Pavel Srníček - who tragically passed away in 2015 - having joined Sparta as a coach in 2012.

An instant impact - February 2018

It was a debut to remember for the tall shot-stopper after recording a clean sheet on his Premier League bow in a 1-0 win against Manchester United at St. James' Park.

The victory was United's first triumph on home soil since October as Matt Ritchie's strike, accompanied by a string of terrific stops from Dúbravka, helped the Magpies climb out of the relegation zone.

Four clean sheets as Newcastle seal top-half finish - May 2018

Rafa Benítez's side won five of their final nine Premier League fixtures during the 2017/18 campaign, with Dúbravka recording four clean sheets in 12 appearances.

Four league wins in a row, beating Southampton, Huddersfield Town, Leicester City and Arsenal, eased relegation fears before an impressive 3-0 victory against Chelsea on the final day of the season resulted in a tenth-pace finish.

Here to stay - May 2018

After an impressive loan stint, Newcastle completed the permanent signing of Dúbravka on a contract running until the summer of 2022.

Former Magpies boss Benítez said: "Ever since he arrived with us on loan he has shown a fantastic attitude and great work ethic, and of course we have been very impressed with his performances for us on the pitch last season.

"This was one of the key positions we had identified we needed to strengthen and had been concerned about, so it is excellent news that we are able now to sign him on a permanent basis.

North East Football Writers' Awards Player of the Year winner - February 2019

The Magpies goalkeeper was presented with the 2018 North East Football Writers' Association player of the year award, following in the footsteps of the likes of Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Shay Given in winning the award.

He told Ian Dennis at the event, held at the Ramside Hotel, Golf Club and Spa in Durham: "It's one year since I came here and signed a contract with an amazing club and I can't believe it, because I know that amazing players have won this trophy before. I'm happy."

Stairway to eleven - May 2019

Dúbravka's first full season on Tyneside saw him record 11 clean sheets in the English top-flight as the Magpies secured 13th place.

Despite failing to win in their opening ten league matches, Newcastle found their feet towards the end of 2018 after winning three consecutive games in November before flourishing towards the end of the season with away victories against Leicester City and Fulham, with Dúbravka finishing in fifth place for the division's Golden Glove award.

Six more years - October 2019

The Slovakian committed his future to the club after signing a new six-year deal with the Magpies.

He told NUFC TV: "It is an amazing feeling. I have to say that it feels like time has flown. It's been almost two years and I've found great people here who I can call friends.

"I've enjoyed my time here and I'm very glad that I can stay here for another six years."

Player of the Year winner - July 2020

Dúbravka was named as Newcastle United's official Player of the Year for the 2019/20 campaign.

The experienced stopper was an ever-present in the Premier League this season, recording 11 clean sheets and making 137 saves – the most of any 'keeper in the top-flight by a comfortable distance.

He told UNITED, the club's official matchday programme: "It is a big honour and privilege, because obviously I know the history and what kind of players play for this massive club and achieve this kind of trophy, so I couldn't be more happy and more delighted.

"It's a big thing for me. It's always nice to have this kind of memory, so really I'm so happy."

Surviving relegation - May 2022

After missing the opening stages of the 2021/22 season due to a foot injury, Dúbravka returned to United's starting XI and was a regular in-between the sticks of a campaign that would live long in the memory of Newcastle supporters.

The Magpies failed to win their opening 14 league matches but, following the club's takeover in October 2021, ended the season in winning fashion to equal their highest Premier League points tally since 2013/14, with Dúbravka accruing eight clean sheets.

Derby day delight - January 2024

After Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder during Newcastle's 1-0 Premier League win against Manchester United, Dúbravka reclaimed the number one jersey in the second-half of the 2023/24 season and kept a clean sheet in a memorable 3-0 win against local rivals Sunderland in the Emirates FA Cup.

Handed an away draw against the Black Cats, Dan Ballard's own goal and Alexander Isak's second-half brace saw Newcastle defeat their arch rivals at the Stadium of Light for the first time since August 2012 in the first encounter between the two sides since 2016.

Penalty heroics - February 2024

Dúbravka proved the hero as Newcastle advanced into the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals after defeating Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers via penalties after a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.

The Slovakian made two stops in the shoot-out, pushing Dominic Hyam's penalty on the post after also denying Sammie Szmodics from 12 yards as Newcastle reached the last-eight stage of the competition for the third time since 2006.

Semi-final clean sheets - February 2025

Another injury to Pope the following season saw Dúbravka handed a spell in goal during the Christmas period, with United recording a nine-game winning streak as well as the Slovakian registering four league clean sheets in succession towards the end of the calendar year.

Dúbravka played a crucial role in helping Newcastle reach the Carabao Cup final for a second time in the last three seasons as Eddie Howe's side claimed successive 2-0 wins against Arsenal in the semi-final stages.

Linked with a move away from Tyneside in January, Dúbravka was visibly upset following United's first leg victory against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium before agreeing a new deal with the club a month later.

Premier League Save of the Month winner - February 2025

Dúbravka won the Premier League's Save of the Month award for January last season as his excellent stop to deny Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jørgen Strand Larsen in the Magpies' 3-0 win at St. James' Park earned the Slovakian shot-stopper the prize after a public vote.

After receiving the trophy, the goalkeeper said: "We'd done a preparation with the goalie coach, actually, about the situation. It is extra special because the whole preparation for the game pays off at that moment. You know that you did something right during the week.

"It's not just that save, but it's repetitions. You're constantly working during during the week on the opponent and you try to replicate it - and in a situation like this you're happy."

Carabao Cup winner - March 2025

The 36-year-old was part of United's Carabao Cup winning squad as the club ended a 70-year drought for a piece of domestic silverware following a 2-1 win against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.

Cup-tied for the 2023 final defeat against Manchester United after featuring for the Red Devils in the competition that season, Dúbravka was an unused substitute as Newcastle prevailed against the Reds in March, sparking jubilant scenes inside the stadium and across the city of Newcastle.

Champions League qualification - May 2025

Following Pope's return from injury, Dúbravka saw his game time restricted as his last game in a United shirt would, ultimately, be Newcastle's FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion following a fifth round exit via extra-time, taking his appearance tally to 179 across all competitions.

The Magpies, however, secured UEFA Champions League qualification following a fifth-place finish in the Premier League as Dúbravka, along with the United squad, completed a lap of honour around St. James' Park following, arguably, the club's most successful season in living memory.

Everybody at Newcastle United would like to thank Martin for his efforts and wish him the very best of luck for the future.