Done Deal: Tottenham confirm Danny Rose to Newcastle on loan

The longest-tenured member of Tottenham Hotspur’s first team squad is moving to another club. Spurs announced today via social media channels that thirteen-year veteran and left back Danny Rose is heading to Newcastle United on loan for the remainder of the season. There is also apparently NOT an option to purchase when the loan concludes in June.

Danny has always been a polarizing figure among Tottenham fans. He’s been a long time servant to the club and has been what has felt like a permanent fixture in north London since he signed from Leeds United back in 2007 for a fee of £1m. He made his Premier League debut for Spurs in the North London Derby on April 14, 2010 and provided not only his best ever goal but one of the most stunning goals in Spurs’ Premier League history.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHATTA GOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL

Rose was in and out of the side for much of his early Tottenham career and was sent out on numerous loans, but emerged as a viable first choice left back after his 2012 loan at Sunderland, and even more after Spurs hired Mauricio Pochettino. Rose and Poch quickly formed a close bond, with Pochettino helping Rose to develop into a starting left back for England, and Rose earning the training ground nickname “Pochettino’s son.” He formed one half of the best fulback pairing in England playing alongside Kyle Walker during Tottenham’s Premier League title chase of 2015-16

But Rose has had an up and down relationship with Tottenham managers and administration. An outspoken Yorkshireman, he was never afraid to speak his mind, whether that was an explosive interview in the Sun about his perceived failings of Tottenham’s transfer policy, to his experiences with racism in football and mental illness, to his own future. That outspoken nature and willingness to say anything made him a favorite interview subject for journalists but often increased tension between himself and fans, as well as the upper brass at the club.

Injuries also took their toll especially in the last few years of his Spurs tenure, and his relationship never took off with new manager Jose Mourinho this season. Mourinho clearly saw him as surplus to requirements, and Newcastle seemed quite happy to take him back to the north of England.

As fans, we’re free to hold opinions about the players who are at Tottenham Hotspur. I, for one, have always considered Danny Rose to be one of my favorite players of the past decade. I’ve always respected his blistering pace during his peak years, as well as the way he could effortlessly shithouse his way to fouls in and around the box. I’ve also respected the way he was always uncompromising in his opinions, even when they got him into trouble.

But it’s important to recognize that all things must come to an end. This loan-to-buy move is probably the best thing for all parties concerned — Newcastle get an experienced left back, something they haven’t had since losing Jetro Willems to injury, and Spurs move on a player who clearly was ready for something different.

So farewell, Danny Rose. This Tottenham fan salutes you, and I look forward for you returning at the tail end of your career for your richly-deserved Spurs testimonial. Godspeed, King.

Update: Apparently there is NOT a purchase option or obligation in this loan, which means Rose will be coming back to Spurs in June. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be sold this summer — that seems very likely.