Newcastle CONFIRM £34.3m Malick Thiaw signing from AC Milan - in major boost for Eddie Howe after a frustrating summer

Newcastle have announced the signing of defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan on a long-term deal.

The German international, 24, joins for a reported base fee of £30million with £4.3m in add-ons.

Thiaw started his career at Schalke before moving to Milan, where he played for three seasons and garnered Champions League experience. He plays primarily as a centre-back but can also fill in at right-back.

He is their fourth signing of the summer following the additions of Anthony Elanga (£55m), Aaron Ramsdale (loan), and Antonito Cordero (free).

Taking the number 12 shirt, Thiaw said: '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.

Newcastle have announced the signing of defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan

He spent three seasons in Milan and won last season's Supercoppa Italiana with them

'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.'

Newcastle boss 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 was part of the Germany side which won the Under-21s Euros in 2021.

At AC Milan, he racked up 85 appearances and won the Supercoppa Italiana last season.

He arrives as a major boost for Newcastle after a turbulent summer which has seen fans left in the dark over the future of striker Alexander Isak.

Isak has told the club that he does not want to play for the club if they stand in his way of a move to Liverpool, but Howe wants to bring in a replacement before selling.

Howe’s ideal scenario is that Isak changes his mind and decides to stay, but he knows that is unlikely. Newcastle rejected a £100m bid last weekend. Isak is not currently training with his team-mates.

After a turbulent summer, getting a defender through the door will be a relief to Eddie Howe

Newcastle are pressing to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford. They saw a £25million bid for the forward rejected by Brentford last month.

Brentford have not set a valuation on Wissa, who will turn 29 in September, but are believed to be hoping for about £40million.

He has just a year left on his contract but the Bees have the option to extend it by a further year until 2027.

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