Newcastle United Signs Lukas Hornicek for £25.7m

Newcastle United have made their move for a new number one, sealing the £25.7m signing of Lukas Hornicek from Braga on a five-year deal.

The 24-year-old Czech Republic international flew into the club’s training camp in Spain over the weekend to complete the formalities after Newcastle triggered his release clause, ending a pursuit that had gathered pace through the summer.

They had already added 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen from Reims, a clear nod to the future. Hornicek, though, is about the here and now.

“I’m so happy to be here,” he said, describing the last few days as “an emotional rollercoaster” from the moment he first heard of Newcastle’s interest.

The move hands him what he called “a brilliant opportunity in a new league”, and he spoke of an immediate connection with his new surroundings, praising the “fantastic welcome” and the “warmth of the club” as staff helped him settle.

He knows exactly what awaits him on Tyneside. Hornicek referenced “52,000 fans at St James’ Park creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing the team every game” and made it plain: “I can’t wait to play in front of them.”

Newcastle have not moved on a hunch. They have tracked Hornicek closely, particularly during Braga’s impressive run to last season’s Europa League semi-finals. He kept seven clean sheets in that campaign, more than any other goalkeeper in the competition, and built a reputation as a calm, modern presence behind a young side.

The numbers from Portugal’s top flight underline why Newcastle were prepared to pay. Opta data shows Hornicek ranked second among goalkeepers for successful passes with 846 and fourth for passing accuracy at 75% last season, evidence of a goalkeeper as comfortable starting attacks as he is stopping them.

For a club intent on playing out from the back and squeezing opponents high up the pitch, those figures matter. So does his age. At 24, Hornicek arrives with European experience but with room – and time – to grow.

Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson called the goalkeeper’s “progress in recent years” nothing short of “remarkable” and was unequivocal about his standing in the market. “He has firmly established himself as one of Europe’s top young goalkeepers,” Wilson said, adding that the club expected “no shortage of clubs” to chase Hornicek after his exploits last season.

Newcastle won that race, and Wilson made clear that Hornicek’s determination to join was decisive. It “quickly became evident how keen he was to be a part of what we are building here,” he said.

With a new defensive cornerstone in place and a young understudy already through the door, Newcastle have reshaped their goalkeeping department in one summer. Now Hornicek must show that the form that lit up Europe can command St James’ Park.