In August, Isaac Hayden’s anticipated transfer to Luton Town was unexpectedly canceled for undisclosed reasons. Subsequently, there were speculations about him joining Sheffield Wednesday or another Championship club. However, none of these moves materialized, and the Premier League transfer window closed on September 1st. This situation was quite perplexing, given that his fellow Newcastle players, Ryan Fraser and Jeff Hendrick, had already gone out on loan. Eddie Howe, the manager, had made it clear that they wouldn’t be part of the team if they stayed at Newcastle.
Then, out of nowhere on September 5th, it was announced that Isaac Hayden had gone on loan to Standard Liege, taking advantage of the extended transfer window in Belgium, which closed on September 6th. Despite being eighth in the league at the time, it’s evident that Isaac Hayden had a highly positive impact on the team. After a dismal start of just three points in their first six league matches, Hayden played a pivotal role in their last four games, contributing to three wins and a draw.
Isaac Hayden had endured a challenging 21 months, with only nine league starts, all of which occurred during his loan stint with Norwich last season, which was unfortunately cut short due to yet another injury requiring surgery.
In a recent interview with Belgian media on October 18, 2023, Isaac Hayden discussed his aspirations for his club and national career. He attributed his move to Belgium to a string of injuries that had hindered his progress in English football, stating that he needed a new challenge.
Regarding the prospect of representing Jamaica, Isaac Hayden clarified that he doesn’t see himself as an opportunist and is not inclined to take the spot of someone who has played extensively. He expressed his dream of eventually playing for England.
Furthermore, he touched on the increasing interest from national teams in players eligible for multiple countries. Scotland is pursuing Newcastle’s Livramento, Barnes, and Anderson, and Jamaica is also targeting numerous players with Premier League experience, including Demarai Gray, Rico Henry, Max Aarons, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Nathan Ferguson. Isaac Hayden is among those on Jamaica’s radar, given his Jamaican heritage through his father.
Isaac Hayden also mentioned the unique opportunities that both Scotland and Jamaica offer in terms of international competitions. Scotland can guarantee qualification for the Euros in Germany next summer, while Jamaica has a strong chance of participating in the 2026 World Cup, with the Concacaf region having multiple automatic qualifying spots and a possible fourth spot via a playoff process. With the United States, Mexico, and Canada hosting the 2026 World Cup, Jamaica is optimistic about securing a spot.
In a Newcastle United official announcement on September 5, 2023, it was confirmed that Isaac Hayden had joined Standard Liege on loan for the 2023/24 season. Hayden, who had previously played for Arsenal and joined Newcastle in 2016, had made 171 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and playing a crucial role in their Championship title win during the 2016/17 season. He had spent the previous season on loan at Norwich City, making 14 appearances.
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