Malick Thiaw becomes Newcastle United's fourth summer signing, transfer fee and contract details

Newcastle United have finally secured their second major permanent signing of the summer transfer window after confirming the arrival of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.

It’s been a testing summer for Newcastle United but the signing of Malick Thiaw in time for the opening game of the season against Aston Villa represents some much-needed good news.

Instead of preparing to kick on after winning their first trophy in decades and securing Champions League football, Newcastle have instead gone backwards this summer.

Eddie Howe has seen the club miss out on several of his top targets, while Alexander Isak is adamant he wants to leave for Liverpool.

Newcastle know how difficult juggling European and domestic competitions is from their last campaign two years ago. Now the Champions League is longer and the squad is weaker.

However, the defence has finally been strengthened with the capture of centre-back Thiaw and here’s what you need to know about the deal.

Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

How much Newcastle United paid for Malick Thiaw

Newcastle confirmed the signing of Thiaw from AC Milan on Tuesday, August 12, with the German following the same path as Sandro Tonali to St James’ Park.

Though the club have said the fee remains undisclosed, it is widely reported that Newcastle have paid an initial £30m to sign Thiaw.

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The total package also includes £4.3m in performance-related add-ons, which could see the full fee for the 24-year-old rise to £34.3m.

As a result, Thiaw is now Newcastle’s ninth most expensive signing ever, overtaking the £32m signing of Tino Livramento but sitting just behind Sven Botman, who cost £35m.

Thiaw joins Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale and youngster Park Seung-soo to become the club’s fourth first-team signing this summer.

Malick Thiaw contract length at Newcastle United

Thiaw has put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Newcastle, keeping him in the North East until 2029.

Currently 24, that ensures Thiaw should spend the remaining peak years of his career as a Magpie.

Howe has been aiming to recruit a new centre-back for well over a year, given Botman is injury-prone and Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are well into their 30s.

Marc Guehi had been a big target but Newcastle have managed to sign Thiaw for much less than what Crystal Palace wanted for their captain.

Howe praised Thiaw last summer amid initial Newcastle links with the defender, though, and he had been on the club’s radar for some time.

He will wear the number 12 shirt at St James’ Park.

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