Everything Newcastle United are getting in Nick Pope deal and one thing they are not

Tom Heaton’s name is still revered around these parts, three years since he left Turf Moor.

A Burnley hero, captain and two time promotion winner whose ability and attitude made him a firm fan favourite. So it took someone special to oust him from the XI and continue the tradition of goalkeeping excellence at Turf Moor.

Nick Pope was unproven when he was thrust into the fold at Crystal Palace in September 2017. He was straight into the cauldron of Premier League football but took to the task seamlessly. He helped Burnley to three points and from that day on didn’t look back.

European football followed and although a shoulder injury at Aberdeen meant a lengthy spell on the sidelines, he returned to reclaim the number one jersey ahead of Heaton and Joe Hart. And he’s been well worth it.

Pope has kept Burnley in games time and again with a show-reel of spectacular saves and, with the 30-year-old on the brink of completing a move to Newcastle United, he’ll be sorely missed at Burnley. He wants regular first team football in the Premier League to boost his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad later this year. Burnley were always expecting him to depart and a fee has been agreed with the Magpies.

Newcastle will be getting a top quality international goalkeeper who has proven his credentials time and again. Pope’s shot stopping is first class while his ability to claim crosses and command his box is second to none. He’s a proactive keeper who senses danger and has the awareness, experience and positional ability to react quickly.

His distribution remains his weak point and it’s held him back on the international front with Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale ahead of him in the England pecking order. Pope is not