Newcastle United have signed striker, Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a club-record £59.1m fee.
Isak’s move comes after a successful three year spell at Spain’s Real Sociedad with 44 goals in 132 appearances across all competitions, during which he helped the club win 2019-20 Copa del Rey after they beat Athletic Bilbao in that season’s Final.
Newcastle will pay an initial £54.9m transfer fee but could pay a further £4.2m in add-ons, taking the total transfer fee as high as £59.1m which would be a club-record transfer for the Magpies, as well as a record sale for Real Sociedad who have included a sell-on clause in the deal.
Isak will be eligible to make his debut for Newcastle in Sunday’s Premier League away trip to Wolves, in a 2pm BST kick-off live on Sky Sports.
Speaking about his decision to move to Newcastle and play in English Football for the first time, Isak said:
“I’m delighted to have it done. It was a big, big decision for me but it is a decision I am really happy with.
“It is a great, historical club that I think anyone would like to play for, with amazing fans. They were a big part of why I came here – and also the club’s project, which is one that I really believe in.”
Isak also praised Newcastle’s style of play under Eddie Howe as he added: You always want to go into a team and know how they play. I think Newcastle play very attractive football and I want to be a part of that.”
Howe meanwhile admitted that he is “very excited” to secure Isak who he described as “an outstanding talent who is capable of making a big contribution to the team.”
On why he and Newcastle have swooped to sign Isak, Howe commented: “He is technically very good, with a mix of attributes that will complement us, but he is also at a great age to grow with this club.
Isak began his career at AIK in his home country – Sweden, where he progressed through the club’s youth academy to eventually score 13 goals in 29 appearances before he went on to spend three seasons at Borussia Dortmund but only managed one goal in 13 senior appearances.
He instead spent most of his time in Dortmund’s Reserves team where he managed five goals in 12 appearances, before he was loaned to Willem II in Netherlands’ Eredivisie where he scored 14 goals in 18 appearances prior to his move to Real Sociedad in July 2019.
Isak has represented Sweden in international football since he made his senior international debut in January 2017, from which he has gone on to score nine goals in 37 appearances.
Leave a Reply