Steve Harper

Hull City On 11 July 2013, it was revealed that newly promoted Premier League side Hull City are to offer Harper a one-year contract, as back up for their new goalkeeper Allan McGregor. Hull had previously approached Newcastle to take Harper on loan in January 2012 under then-manager Nick Barmby. Harper underwent his medical on 15 July. On 23 May 2014, Harper signed a new one-year deal with Hull.

On 11 September 2013, Newcastle honoured Harper for his 20 years at the club with a Testimonial against an A.C. Milan XI. which included former Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio. Former Newcastle players involved included Harper, along with Alan Shearer, Nolberto Solano, John Beresford, Darren Peacock, Nikos Dabizas, Lee Bowyer, Rob Lee, Ruel Fox, David Ginola, Peter Beardsley, Faustino Asprilla, Joey Barton, Shay Given and Andy Cole amongst others. Milan won the game 2–1 on penalties while £300,000 were raised for charity.

Sunderland On 22 January 2016, Harper signed for, Premier League side Sunderland until the end of the 2015–16 season, to provide cover for goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Vito Mannone. On 10 June, it was announced that Harper would not be offered a new contract by Sunderland.

Coaching career On 18 August 2016, Harper joined Newcastle United as academy goalkeeping coach. He left the club on 14 May 2019 after joining the senior Northern Ireland national team on 19 March 2019.

Harper re-joined Newcastle on 22 November 2019 as first team coach, though he continued working with the Northern Ireland national team.

Outside football Harper is also a Football Association-approved referee, one of the few professional footballers to have earned their referee's licence. This was subject to analysis during Sky Sports News' Respect The Ref campaign, where appointing former footballers as referees was seen as a way to increase the respect shown to referees on the pitch. Harper was considering becoming a referee when he retired from playing.

He has a social sciences degree from the Open University, for which he studied whilst playing for the Newcastle reserve team. Harper also enjoys reading,

Career statistics

Honours Newcastle United Football League Championship: 2009–10

Hull City FA Cup runner-up: 2013–14