While Newcastle United's pre-season tour centres on fitness and tactical tweaks, Kieran Trippier has an additional layer of excitement.
He is particularly looking forward to the return of the Tyne-Wear derby in the upcoming Premier League season.
🐈⬛ Looking forward to the Tyne-Wear derby, Kieran? pic.twitter.com/XPviGojTig
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 1, 2025
Speaking at a fan event in South Korea, Trippier openly expressed his eagerness for the highly anticipated clashes against rivals Sunderland.
With Sunderland's promotion back to the Premier League confirmed last season, the North East rivalry is set to reignite in the top flight for the first time since March 2016.
The Black Cats' return means two fiery derbies are now firmly on the 2025-26 Premier League calendar, with the first scheduled for December 13, 2025, at the Stadium of Light, and the reverse fixture at St. James' Park on March 21, 2026.
Addressing media and fans during Newcastle's current tour of South Korea, Trippier was asked about the prospect of facing Sunderland.
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His response was typical of a seasoned professional understanding the weight of local rivalries. "I'm really looking forward to it," Trippier stated.
"You want to play in those big games, and everyone knows how much the derby means to both sets of fans."
Trippier, who joined Newcastle in January 2022, has yet to experience a Premier League Tyne-Wear derby.
While he was part of the squad that secured a comfortable 3-0 FA Cup victory at the Stadium of Light in January 2024, the top-flight encounters promise an altogether different intensity.
He reportedly spoke to Newcastle's Geordie contingent, including academy graduates and long-serving players, about the derby's unique atmosphere even before Sunderland's promotion was confirmed.
His comments underscore the sentiment within the Newcastle dressing room, where despite a demanding pre-season and ongoing transfer sagas (such as the Alexander Isak situation), the return of the local rivalry is a source of genuine excitement.
For fans, Trippier's eagerness is a welcome sign that the players are fully aware of what these matches mean to the region.
As Newcastle continue their preparations in Asia, building towards the Premier League opener on August 16th against Aston Villa, the anticipation for those two crucial derby dates will only grow.
The Tyne-Wear derby is back, and Trippier is ready for it.
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