Karl Darlow

Karl Darlow (born 8 October 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Leeds United. Darlow is a product of the Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest academies and has spent most of his career at Newcastle United, whilst also having time on loan at both Newport County and Walsall earlier in his career. He is the grandson of former Wales international forward Ken Leek who was included in the Welsh 1958 World Cup squad.

Karl Darlow
Darlow with Nottingham Forest in 2014
Personal information
Full name Karl Darlow[1]
Date of birth (1990-10-08) 8 October 1990
Place of birth Northampton, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 28
Youth career
1998–2006 Aston Villa
2006–2010 Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2014 Nottingham Forest 64 (0)
2012 → Newport County (loan) 8 (0)
2012 → Walsall (loan) 7 (0)
2013 → Walsall (loan) 2 (0)
2014–2023 Newcastle United 86 (0)
2014–2015 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 42 (0)
2023 → Hull City (loan) 12 (0)
2023– Leeds United 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:53, 29 April 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Nottingham Forest

Weeks after being released by Aston Villa at the age of 16, Villa goalkeeping coach Eric Steele recommended Darlow to Forest and he was signed up in their academy. After impressive displays in the reserve team, Darlow was awarded a space on the bench where he was present for the majority of the 2010–11 season. His debut was against Crystal Palace, on the last day of the 2010–11 season, as a substitute for Lee Camp. The Reds won the game 3–0, a result that secured them a play-off spot.[3]

Loan to Newport County

In March 2012, Darlow joined Newport County in the Conference National league on loan for a month.[4][5][6] He made his first appearance for the club in a 1–0 home win against Gateshead.[7]

Loan to Walsall

On 21 September 2012, Darlow joined Walsall on loan for one month.[8] While there, he signed a new three-year contract at parent club Forest, keeping him there until 2015.[9] On 22 October, his loan with Walsall was extended until 22 December 2012,[10] but Forest recalled him four days later to cover for injured Forest goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov.[11]

Darlow rejoined Walsall on 1 January 2013 on a one-month loan deal, with the prospect of extending the loan for the remainder of the season,[12] However, he was recalled to Forest yet again on 10 January[13] after first choice Lee Camp had been told he could leave the club on a free transfer.[14] On 12 January 2013 he made his full Forest league debut in their 2–1 win over Peterborough, and ended the 2012–13 season[15] with 20 league appearances for the club. Darlow signed a new four-year contract on 23 August 2013 and established himself as manager Billy Davies's first-choice goalkeeper despite the summer arrival of Dorus de Vries.[16][17]

Newcastle United

On 9 August 2014, Darlow signed a long-term contract with Premier League club Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee. As part of the deal, he and teammate Jamaal Lascelles were loaned back to Nottingham Forest for the 2014–15 season.[18][19]

He made his debut for Newcastle on 25 August 2015, in a League Cup fixture against Northampton Town which Newcastle won 4–1.[20] He made his Premier League debut on 28 December 2015, against West Bromwich Albion as a late inclusion, after regular keeper Rob Elliot was forced to pull out due to illness; the Magpies lost the game 1–0 after Darlow let Darren Fletcher's header slip through his hands.[21] Following a season-ending injury to Elliot while away on international duty, Darlow was forced to take over in net for Newcastle's final eight matches as they attempted to avoid relegation.[22] On 30 April 2016, Darlow saved a penalty from Yohan Cabaye, in a 1–0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace.[23] although Newcastle were relegated on 11 May following a victory for rivals Sunderland over Everton.

Darlow entered the 2016–17 season in competition with summer signing Matz Sels to start the Championship season in goal,[24] which Darlow lost.[25] Darlow played in Newcastle's first two League Cup matches against Cheltenham Town and Wolverhampton, keeping clean sheets in both.[26] On 28 September, Darlow received his first Championship start of the season, replacing Sels against Norwich City for a 4–3 win.[27] He became the club's first-choice goalkeeper under Rafael Benítez ahead of Elliot, Sels and Freddie Woodman. Darlow made 34 appearances, keeping 13 clean sheets, in 2016–17 as Newcastle were promoted to the Premier League as winners of the Championship.[28] Darlow would compete with Rob Elliot during 2017–18 season as first choice goalkeeper in the Premier League, with Darlow making 12 appearances, however both lost their place in the team when Martin Dúbravka was signed on loan in January 2018.[29]

After starting the 2018–19 season as second choice behind Dúbravka, Darlow made his first and only appearance of that season on 29 August 2018, when he started in the EFL Cup 3–1 defeat against his former club Nottingham Forest.[30] On 11 September 2020, he signed a five-year extension to his contract that would keep him at the club until 2025.[31]

Loan to Hull City

On 31 January 2023, Darlow joined Hull City on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.[32] The terms on his loan meant that Darlow could not be recalled despite Newcastle facing a goalkeeping shortage ahead of the 2023 EFL Cup final on 26 February.[33] He made his debut for Hull City on 25 February 2023, in a 1–0 loss away to Bristol City.[34]

Leeds United

On 29 July 2023, Darlow joined Leeds United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[35] He made his first appearance for The Whites on 9 August 2023 in their 2–1 League Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town.[36]

International career

In addition to England, Darlow is eligible to represent Wales as his grandfather Ken Leek (a Wales international forward) was born in Ynysybwl. The Football Association of Wales confirmed Darlow had declined an invitation to be included in the Wales national football team friendly match against Austria on 6 February 2013.[37]

New Wales Manager Ryan Giggs approached Darlow in March 2018 to be included in the Wales squad. Darlow advised he was currently concentrating on winning back his place in the Newcastle United starting line-up.[38]

Speculation developed that Darlow might have ended his playing in the Wales squad in November 2020 after revealing his ambition of playing for England, saying: "It’s the one thing that as a child you want to do" and "I would love nothing more".[39]

Career statistics
Darlow playing for Newport County in 2012
As of 9 August 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Nottingham Forest 2010–11[40] Championship 1000000010
2012–13[15] Championship 2000010—210
2013–14[41] Championship 4302000—450
2014–15[42] Championship 4200020—440
Total 10602030001110
Newport County (loan) 2011–12[43] Conference Premier 80——0080
Walsall (loan) 2012–13[15] League One 9000—1[lower-alpha 1]0100
Newcastle United 2015–16[44] Premier League 900010—100
2016–17[45] Championship 3400020—360
2017–18[46] Premier League 1001010—120
2018–19[47] Premier League 000010—10
2019–20[48] Premier League 005010—60
2020–21[49] Premier League 2500010—260
2021–22[50] Premier League 800000—80
2022–23[51] Premier League 000010—10
Total 8606080001000
Hull City (loan) 2022–23[51] Championship 1200000—120
Leeds United 2023–24[52] Championship 000020—10
Career total 0000100010
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy

Honours

Newcastle United

References
  1. "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  2. "Karl Darlow". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  3. "Crystal Palace 0–3 Nott'm Forest". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  4. "Newport County sign young keeper Karl Darlow". BBC Sport. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  5. Blight, Chris (8 March 2012). "Potter Leaves". newport-county.co.uk. Newport County A.F.C. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  6. "New-Port of Call For Karl". Nottingham Forest F.C. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  7. "Newport County AFC V Gateshead". newport-county.co.uk. Newport County A.F.C. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  8. Nicholson, Fraser (21 September 2012). "Karl Heads Out". Nottingham Forest F.C. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  9. Richardson, Nick (5 October 2012). "New Deal for Darlow". Nottingham Forest F.C. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  10. Nicholson, Fraser (22 October 2012). "Karl's Staying With Walsall". Nottingham Forest F.C. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  11. "Nottingham Forest recall Karl Darlow from Walsall". BBC Sport. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  12. "Walsall re-sign Nottingham Forest keeper on loan". BBC Sport. 1 January 2013. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  13. "Nottingham Forest recall Karl Darlow from Walsall again". BBC Sport. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  14. "Lee Camp: Nottingham Forest will let goalkeeper leave". BBC Sport. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  15. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  16. "Karl Darlow: Nottingham Forest goalkeeper signs new contract". BBC Sport. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  17. "Karl Darlow signs new four year deal at Forest". Nottingham Post. 23 August 2013. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  18. Marshall, Anthony (9 August 2014). "United Complete Lascelles and Darlow Deal". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  19. "Magpies swoop for Jamaal and Karl". Nottingham Forest F.C. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  20. Olsen, Connor (25 August 2015). "Newcastle United 4–1 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  21. Aimee Lewis (28 December 2015). "Fletcher earns WBA win over Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  22. Jamieson, Stuart (2 April 2016). "Who is Karl Darlow: All you need to know about the Newcastle United goalkeeper". The Chronicle.
  23. "Karl Darlow the hero for Newcastle in vital win vs. Crystal Palace". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  24. Fowler, Andrew (30 July 2016). "Karl Darlow on competition with Matz Sels and wanting to 'put my mark on a game'". The Chronicle.
  25. Starforth, Miles (5 August 2016). "Matz Sels starts in goal for Newcastle at Fulham". The Shields Gazette. Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  26. Porter, Graham (24 September 2016). "Newcastle's unluckiest player in line for a change today?". The Mag.
  27. Wilson, Scott (28 September 2016). "Newcastle boss drops Matz Sels for Norwich game". The Northern Echo.
  28. "Championship: 2016/17: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  29. SPORT.SK, s.r.o. & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a.s. (31 January 2018). "Newcastle a Sparta sa dohodli, Dúbravka mieri do Premier League!" (in Slovak). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  30. "Nottingham Forest 3 Newcastle 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  31. "Hayden & Darlow sign new Newcastle deals". BBC Sport.
  32. "Darlow signs for Hull City". Hull City A.F.C. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  33. Ryder, Lee (18 February 2023). "Karl Darlow recall situation explained as Newcastle United face cup final goalkeeper shortage". Newcastle Chronicle. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  34. "Bristol City 1–0 Hull City". BBC Sport. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  35. "Leeds United complete Karl Darlow signing". Leeds United.com. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  36. "Leeds United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  37. "Ex-County stopper Karl Darlow is latest to say no to a Wales call-up". South Wales Argus.
  38. Ryder, Lee (15 March 2018). "Wales boss Ryan Giggs contacted Newcastle United duo to clarify international futures". Evening Chronicle.
  39. "Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow appears to close the door on Wales call-up as he outlines England ambitions".
  40. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  41. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  42. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  43. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  44. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  45. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  46. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  47. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  48. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  49. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  50. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  51. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  52. "Games played by Karl Darlow in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  53. "Newcastle United 3–0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
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