Newcastle United have had a largely frustrating 2025 when it comes to transfers.
Six senior players arrived at St James’ Park, as well as two youth prospects who will hopefully have incredibly bright futures at Newcastle United.
2025 saw Newcastle United break their transfer record on Nick Woltemade, while it also saw them endure the Alexander Isak saga. He downed tools and joined Liverpool for £125million, which is a British record.
Now the Magpies are forgetting about Isak and focusing on the players they do have, but how have Eddie Howe’s new signings done so far?
As 2025 comes to a close, Geordie Boot Boys rank the eight signings Newcastle United have made this year from worst to best.
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8 – Yoane Wissa
Coming in at number eight is Yoane Wissa, whose Newcastle United career has been blighted by injury.
Newcastle overspent on Wissa, and that was before he suffered a knee injury that delayed his debut until December.
Thankfully the 29-year-old is fit and available now, so it should not take him too long to prove his worth to the Toon Army.
7 – Antonio Cordero
Cordero was a target for the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but it was Newcastle United who managed to snap up the talented Spaniard.
The teenage attacker arrives on Tyneside with a lot of potential, and will ideally blossom into a key member of the first-team squad.
However, it is difficult to judge Cordero so far. He has endured a disastrous loan spell at KVC Westerlo and could be recalled.
6 – Jacob Ramsey
Arriving from Aston Villa for £43million, there was huge excitement when Jacob Ramsey joined Newcastle United.
He looked ideally suited to replace Joelinton in Newcastle’s midfield three, but that is yet to come to fruition.
The 24-year-old has struggled to nail down a place in Eddie Howe’s starting XI, with Ramsey proving to be ineffective in black and white so far.
5 – Park Seung-Soo
We are including Park Seung-Soo in this list as he very nearly made his senior debut, appearing on the bench for Newcastle’s first game of the season against Aston Villa.
The 18-year-old was seriously impressive during pre-season, showcasing the type of skill and speed that will make him a fan favourite at St James’ Park if he achieves his potential.
The South Korean teenager is still very raw, but the early signs are very promising.
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4 – Anthony Elanga
The fact that Anthony Elanga is fourth on this list says a lot about Newcastle’s 2025 signings.
Elanga was meant to hit the ground running at Newcastle, but that has not happened at all. Instead, the 23-year-old has been extremely underwhelming.
Newcastle’s decision to spend £55million on Elanga suddenly looks curious, but there is confidence that he will improve. Howe expects Elanga to get better, and there have at least been signs of promise.
3 – Aaron Ramsdale
Newcastle United pivoted towards Aaron Ramsdale during the summer when James Trafford turned them down.
He arrived on loan to put pressure on Nick Pope, and he has certainly done that. However, his run in the starting XI during Pope’s spell on the sidelines has left a lot to be desired.
While Ramsdale has done alright, he has not done enough to suggest he can be the Magpies’ long-term number one. That is why Newcastle are looking at possible goalkeeper signings ahead of 2026.
2 – Nick Woltemade
It would have been easy for Nick Woltemade to crumble under the pressure of becoming Newcastle United’s most expensive signing. Instead, the £69million man has taken it all in his stride.
Woltemade has made a major impression on Tyneside, dazzling the Toon Army with his unique style of play. His goals have been extraordinary too, with even a penalty proving to be audacious.
The exciting thing is there is even more to come from Woltemade, who could blossom even more now that he has Yoane Wissa to dovetail with.
1 – Malick Thiaw
In a league of his own, Malick Thiaw is undoubtedly Newcastle United’s best signing in 2025.
Newcastle were surprised they got Thiaw without any competition, and Premier League rivals will be ruing the fact they did not make a move for the German defender.
Thiaw already looks so comfortable at Newcastle United, proving to be one of Eddie Howe’s best players this season. With every stellar performance, it becomes harder to believe he only cost £34million.
To top it all off, his chant isn’t bad either!
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