Malick Thiaw is officially a Newcastle United player after signing on a four-year deal from AC Milan.
Finally, another major signing has come through the door ahead of a hectic 2025/26 campaign, which includes a return to the Champions League.
Malick Thiaw joins Newcastle United after two years of transfer speculation and a failed approach in 2024. However, Eddie Howe was very keen to sign Thiaw, who was also up for the move to Tyneside.
In his first interview, Thiaw shared how he was convinced after talks with Howe, showing that a plan is clearly in place for the 24-year-old.
It has been confirmed that Thiaw will wear the No.12 at Newcastle after it became available following Jamal Lewis’ departure upon the expiry of his contract. Thiaw will be in contention to play against Aston Villa on Saturday, although it remains to be seen if he will be a starter or will get minutes off the bench in the Magpies’ Premier League opener.
With Thiaw officially a Newcastle player, he has revealed how he was first exposed to the club. Fans will absolutely love it.
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Malick Thiaw shares his love for the movie Goal! after Newcastle United move
Thiaw becomes the fifth German national to play for Newcastle, so he has a fantastic opportunity to become the club’s greatest German player.
The 24-year-old joins Newcastle with experience in the Champions League, having also played on the international stage for his country.
Many Newcastle players have shared their first exposure to the club upon signing, with some saying they saw the Magpies on television, or others even having family members who were fans. However, Thiaw stated that it was the cult classic movie Goal!, a story about a young football prodigy, Santiago Munez, who becomes a hero on Tyneside for his footballing ability.
“About the city, I’ve seen clips that I got sent about the city,” Thiaw said in his first interview with newcastleunited.com.
“Everybody knows about Newcastle. Also, the movie Goal! was the first contact I got to Newcastle when I was really small.
“I always follow the Premier League, I always like the Premier League, so Newcastle was on my watch.
“I was maybe eight, nine (when he first watched Goal!) I’ve watched it a lot of times, not even once. I think I still watched it when I was 15, 16.”
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AC Milan bid farewell to Malick Thiaw after Newcastle United move
Thiaw has all the capabilities of becoming a legend on Tyneside. He joins at a time when a new, young centre-back was needed, especially given the age of Fabian Schar, who only has a year left on his contract.
It is just a four-year deal for now, but he could sign a new contract in a couple of years if all goes well.
Thiaw leaves Milan after three years and 63 appearances. He joined as a young and promising defender, and left as an established centre-back ready to take on the Premier League. With his departure confirmed, Milan made a fitting post in tribute to their former player.
“The pleasure was ours.” Milan said on X.
“Thank you, Malick, and best of luck!”
£34million is not a steep fee for Thiaw, even if he was going to cost Como £13million less last month. The player has vast experience playing in Europe and is coming off a season where he helped Milan win silverware. The deal makes a lot of sense with the Champions League returning to Tyneside this season, and the hope is that Thiaw can help Newcastle be competitive in the competition.
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