Who is Hugo Ekitike? Meet the striker who is set to become Newcastle United’s record signing

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Newcastle United are closing in on signing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, so you’d best get familiar with him.

It’s been a tough transfer window for Newcastle United, with several setbacks in Eddie Howe’s quest to enhance his forward options.

However, it looks like a corner has at last been turned after Anthony Elanga was signed from Nottingham Forest in a £55m move.

After finally getting their wide forward after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, Newcastle are now looking to put the ghosts of Matheus Cunha, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro to bed by bringing in a centre forward next.

Hugo Ekitike has been honed in on as the top target and the move for the Eintracht Frankfurt star is gathering momentum.

Here’s everything you need to know about him.

• Who is Anthony Elanga? Newcastle United’s brand new £55m winger

Who is Hugo Ekitike?

Ekitike is a striker for Bundesliga stalwarts Eintracht Frankfurt, but before he arrived in Germany, his career began in his native France.

He joined the academy of local club Reims when he was just 11 years old and climbed up the ranks to sign his first professional contract aged 18.

A loan spell at Danish side Vejle Boldklub followed after his senior debut, but in 2022, the familiar sight of Paris Saint-Germain came calling for a talented Frenchman.

Though he initially moved to Paris on loan, there was an obligation to buy in the deal, which saw the switch made permanent the next summer for over £30m.

However, Ekitike struggled to break into the PSG side after the move and was left out of the Champions League squad for the 2023-24 season.

In February, he joined Frankfurt on loan and his four goals in 14 games were enough to secure a permanent move. The German club paid half of what PSG had spent on him just a year earlier.

Ekitike enjoyed a fine full campaign in the Bundesliga in 2024-25, scoring 15 goals in 33 games and now attracting interest from Newcastle.

Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle United transfer news

Ekitike has been on Newcastle’s radar for a long time, as the Magpies were interested in signing him from Reims way back in January 2022.

Newcastle have kept an eye on Ekitike’s progress in the years since and now appear ready to bring him in, even though it will cost them significantly more now.

Geordie Boot Boys understands that Newcastle are willing to smash their transfer record for Ekitike and pay as high as £78m for him.

Alexander Isak is Newcastle’s current record signing at £63m from Real Sociedad in 2022.

It has been reported that Newcastle have already agreed personal terms with Ekitike, who would sign a five-year deal should an agreement be struck with Frankfurt.

Though the potential signing has given Liverpool fans renewed excitement that they could sign Isak as a result, it’s understood that Howe wants Ekitike to play alongside him rather than replace him.

Given Ekitike’s impressive stats last season, it’s easy to see why he’s wanted.

How old is Hugo Ekitike?

Ekitike was born in Reims, Marne, France, on June 20, 2002. As of July 2025, he is 23 years old.

That gives the already exciting striker plenty of room to develop his game and get even better at St. James’ Park.

How tall is Hugo Ekitike?

Ekitike stands at a towering 6’3″ tall, making him a commanding striker and a threat in the air.

If partnered with the 6’4″ Isak, Newcastle would have one of the tallest and most physically imposing strike forces in the Premier League.

Hugo Ekitike salary

According to Capology, Ekitike is one of Frankfurt’s top earners on £58,501 a week. That works out at over £3m a year.

That would put the striker at around the midway point on Newcastle’s wage bill, so they should be able to tempt him with a significant pay rise.

Hugo Ekitike stats

Ekitike has yet to play for France at senior level, but here are all his stats during his club career.

Hugo Ekitike Instagram and X/Twitter account

Ekitike has an official Instagram account with a massive 654k followers that you can find @hekitike.

He also has an X, formerly Twitter, account @hekitike9 and even a TikTok account @hekitike.