‘So happy’ – Newcastle United fifth signing confirmed with heartfelt message & fresh announcement imminent
‘So happy’ – Newcastle United fifth signing confirmed with heartfelt message & fresh announcement imminent
3 – 4 minutes
Newcastle United transfers: The club’s fifth summer signing has been officially confirmed.
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from SC Braga.
It comes after the Magpies triggered the 24-year-old’s £25million release clause prior to flying to Spain for a pre-season training camp in La Manga. It’s understood Hornicek joined up with Newcastle in La Manga to finalise his move, which has now been officially confirmed by the club.
He has signed a five-year deal at St James’ Park and will compete for the No. 1 spot at the club. It comes after Newcastle signed 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims at the start of the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United have signed Lukas Hornicek.
Hornicek’s arrival also plunges Nick Pope’s place in the squad into further doubt after he was made available to leave the club this summer but a move is yet to materialise.
Hornicek is Newcastle’s fifth summer signing after Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba. At 24, he is the oldest signing so far by some distance.
The goalkeeper will join up with new Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle as Newcastle fans patiently await the latter’s formal announcement. The German has penned a four-year contract and will lead the St James’ Park rebuild following Eddie Howe’s departure.
“The last few days have been an emotional rollercoaster from when I first heard about the move and now I’m so happy to be here,” Hornicek said. “It’s a brilliant opportunity in a new league, which I’m very excited about.
“From the very first moment I arrived here, I received a fantastic welcome and really felt the warmth of the club. Everyone has been brilliant in helping me settle in.
“I know Newcastle is a huge football city, with 52,000 fans at St. James’ Park creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing the team every game. I can’t wait to play in front of them.”
Ross Wilson on new signing
Sporting director Ross Wilson, who led the transfer, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Lukáš to Newcastle United. His progress in recent years has been remarkable and he has firmly established himself as one of Europe’s top young goalkeepers.
“We knew there would be no shortage of clubs interested in acquiring Lukáš this summer after everything he achieved last season, but it quickly became evident how keen he was to be a part of what we are building here.
“I’m really pleased we’ve able to conclude the deal swiftly, which has enabled Lukáš to join the squad during the opening days of our pre-season training camp in Spain. Being here for the next week will only benefit him as he gets to know his new team-mates and coaching staff.”
After confirmation of Hornicek and Jaissle, the next big news surrounding Newcastle is the future of Bruno Guimaraes and whether the captain will be in training this week ahead of the match at Valencia or heading to Arsenal instead.
