---
title: "Newcastle fans react as Achraf Lazaar departs"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/05/newcastle-fans-react-achraf-lazaar-departure/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2021-02-05T11:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-05T11:30:00Z"
---

# Newcastle fans react as Achraf Lazaar departs

On Thursday, [Newcastle](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/04/christian-atsu-could-be-reintegrated-into-newcastle-squad/) announced the [termination](https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/lazaar-leaves-the-magpies/) of [Achraaf Lazaar](https://readnewcastle.com/2020/12/09/achraf-lazaar-agent-working-on-newcastle-exit/)‘s contract with the club, and many Toon fans have been reacting to the news on [social media](https://twitter.com/jonnyh267/status/1357428892206784515).

> ? [#NUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) can confirm that Achraf Lazaar has left the club after mutually agreeing to end his contract.
>
> Best of luck for the future, [@LazaarAchraf](https://twitter.com/LazaarAchraf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw).
>
> — Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) [February 4, 2021](https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1357328204554522631?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The 29-year-old is now free to find another club after making [just 10 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/achraf-lazaar/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/139173/verein/762)for the Magpies’ first team in [five years on Tyneside](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/10556345/newcastle-united-secured-the-signing-of-achraf-lazaar-from-palermo).

With Sheffield Wednesday -one of Lazaar’s [three loan clubs](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/achraf-lazaar/transfers/spieler/139173) during his time with Newcastle – [reportedly interested](https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/thompson-lazaar-sheffield-wednesday-newcastle-19774185) in the versatile left-sided player, he may not be waiting too long for a new employer.

The [18-cap Morocco international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/achraf-lazaar/nationalmannschaft/spieler/139173/verein_id/3575) didn’t come close to Steve Bruce’s plans this season, making just two under-23 appearances and one in the EFL Trophy for the Magpies’ reserve side ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/achraf-lazaar/leistungsdaten/spieler/139173/plus/0?saison=2020)).

Singed during [Rafa Benitez](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/04/george-caulkin-claims-rafa-benitez-could-return-to-newcastle/)‘s reign at St James’ Park, Lazaar cost a [reported £2m in 2016](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/10556345/newcastle-united-secured-the-signing-of-achraf-lazaar-from-palermo) and will go down as a strange Newcastle signing. Indeed, one unforgiving Geordie described the transfer as “the most pointless signing in our history”, given the 29-year-old’s sporadic game-time.

Judging by the reaction of these Toon Army members on Twitter, the Moroccan won’t be sorely missed:

> Twitter: @NUFC @LazaarAchraf Good luck @LazaarAchraf didn’t even get a chance to prove himself in the toon shirt when he cle… https://t.co/3FA1cHb6rd (@mc\_chug)

> Twitter: @NUFC @LazaarAchraf all the best pal unfortunate it didn’t work out (@LoveACorner)

> Twitter: @NUFC @LazaarAchraf A footballers career is very short. How much of his has he wasted here? ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f633.svg) (@neilTheMagpie)

> Twitter: @NUFC @LazaarAchraf The most pointless signing in our history (@SteffanLloydO)

> Twitter: @NUFC @LazaarAchraf About time like, good luck for the future @LazaarAchraf (@melmarsh97)

> Twitter: @NUFC @LazaarAchraf Thanks for coming, Achraf. (@jonnyh267)