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75-year-old says he has ‘top doctor’ working on his caseNewcastle send ‘heartfelt support and warmest wishes’The former England and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has revealed he has stage four cancer. His family had said in January the former England, Liverpool and Newcastle player had been diagnosed with cancer and the 75-year-old provided an update on his health during a weekend appearance at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House.“They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer,” Keegan said, in quotes reported by the Daily Mail. “He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn’t be walking alone, if you know what I mean.”Newcastle, where Keegan spent two years as a player before having two spells as a manager, sent their best wishes to Keegan in a post on X on Monday, saying he would “always be warmly welcomed” at St James’ Park.“We send our heartfelt support and warmest wishes to Kevin Keegan and his family following his recent diagnosis of stage four cancer,” the club said. “Kevin holds a unique and cherished place in the history of Newcastle, and in the hearts of our supporters. His passion, leadership and connection to the club and city have shaped some of our most memorable moments.“Everyone at the club is behind Kevin and sends strength and best wishes to him and his family for the journey ahead. Kevin will always be warmly welcomed at St James’ Park and we hope to see him again soon.”Keegan began his career with Scunthorpe and was signed by Liverpool in 1971, winning the First Division three times along with two Uefa Cups, the FA Cup and the European Cup in 1977. He won the Ballon d’Or – then called the European Footballer of the Year – twice while at the German side Hamburg, where he featured in another European Cup final, and played for Southampton and Newcastle before retiring in 1984. He scored 21 goals in 63 England appearances and played at the 1982 World Cup finals.As a manager, Keegan took charge of former club Newcastle in 1992 and led them into the Premier League, where they came close to winning the 1995-96 title but missed out to Manchester United. He had a spell as Fulham’s manager before becoming England manager in 1999 but, after a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign, Keegan resigned following a World Cup qualifying defeat by Germany. Keegan then took charge at Manchester City before leaving in March 2005 and made a return to Newcastle in 2008 that lasted eight months.Speaking at the event, Keegan stated he would like to return to St James’ Park to say goodbye. He said: “I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time.”

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England winger commits to Spanish giants to 2031Of Newcastle: ‘I’ll be a fan for the rest of my life’Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona from Newcastle in a five-year deal believed to be worth £69.3m.Both clubs announced the move on Friday night, with the Spanish giants saying in a statement that the 25-year-old winger will sign for “the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031”.“FC Barcelona and Newcastle United have reached an agreement for Anthony Gordon to become a blaugrana for the next five seasons,” Barcelona added.“Newcastle United can confirm that Anthony Gordon has signed for La Liga champions Barcelona for a significant undisclosed fee,” the Premier League club said. He had swapped Everton for the north-east of England in a £40m January 2023 move.Gordon told Newcastle’s official website: “I owe this club a lot because, when I arrived, I was quite lost both in life and and in football. The club has given me a sense of belonging and a sense of identity. It’s allowed me to do what I always thought I could do. It’s put me on the biggest stage and allowed me to perform for the shirt.“Since coming to the club, I feel I’ve improved a lot on the pitch but this club has played a big part in the person I’ve become over the last three-and-a-half years.“It was really important for me to leave this place in a good way because I’ve loved every single minute of being a part of Newcastle United. This is an incredible club and one that I’ll never forget. I’ll be a fan for the rest of my life.”Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe said the club are “disappointed to lose Anthony” but that “we understand that this is a big opportunity for him”.“He has been a big part of our success in recent years … He leaves with our best wishes, and I am confident that he will go onto be a success, both with Barcelona and the national team at this year’s World Cup.”Following the announcement, Gordon participated in an unveiling event in Spain. Despite the announcements, the transfer window does not open until 15 June, when formalities relating to the transfer are expected to be processed, but the Spanish club were keen to get the move over the line before Gordon travels for England World Cup duty on Monday.