Newcastle United have signed defender, Malick Thiaw from AC Milan in a £34.3m transfer.
Having spent much of the summer unsuccessfully in negotiations for Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko who chose Liverpool and Manchester United respectively, Newcastle turned their attention to making Thiaw their second permanent senior signing of the summer in a £34.3m transfer to boost their defence.
Following a short period of negotiations amidst an initially rejected bid, Newcastle saw their improved offer accepted which consisted of a £30m fixed payment, plus a further £4.3m in add-ons for the 24-year-old who was reportedly on the radar of Bayern Munich and Juventus.
Thiaw has signed a four-year contract until June 2029 and will wear the number 12 shirt but is “excited” to start training ahead of the season-opener at Aston Villa on Saturday 16 August (12:30pm BST).
“I’m really excited to join this massive club. I can’t wait to start training and to get to know my new teammates and all the staff.
“The gaffer showed me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really exciting.
“I think Newcastle speaks for itself. It’s a great club, a big club with passionate fans who I can’t wait to see at St. James’ Park.”
Manager, Eddie Howe added: “We’re really pleased to have Malick on board. He’s a player I’ve admired for a long time and somebody who will add real quality to our defensive options.
“Malick is still young but brings valuable experience of Champions League football, as well as playing in the Bundesliga and Serie A, which is a major positive for us as we return to Europe this season.”
Thiaw began his career at TV Kalkum-Wittlaer before he got a taste of English football at Crystal Palace’s academy, before he spent time at Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke 04, where he broke through to score three goals in 61 senior appearances.
He also was part of the Schalke squad which secured promotion from 2. Bundesliga to Bundesliga in 2021-22 season.
August 2022 saw the Germany centre-back move to AC Milan which yielded one goal in 85 appearances across three seasons, before he completed his move to Tyneside after he rejected a move to Como earlier this summer.
Thiaw represented Germany at Under-21 level and went on to make three senior appearances in 2023.
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