Newcastle sign 'modern defensive hybrid' Thiaw

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The German central defender has signed with Eddie Howe's team for an estimated £34.6 million, which includes potential add-ons.

He becomes Newcastle’s third acquisition in what has been a challenging summer regarding transfers, following the addition of winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.

"I am thrilled to be a part of this incredible club. I look forward to meeting my new teammates," expressed the 24-year-old.

"The manager laid out his vision for me as a player and the direction for the club, which is quite exciting.

"This is a fantastic club with dedicated supporters, and I can't wait to experience the atmosphere at St James' Park."

Acquiring a new centre-back was essential for Newcastle this summer as manager Howe aims to boost competition and reduce the average age of his seasoned squad.

However, finalizing deals has proven to be quite challenging, with the Magpies unsuccessfully pursuing several targets in various roles, including Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, and James Trafford.

Intense speculation has also surrounded the future of striker Alexander Isak, who is eager to depart and sign with Liverpool.

Howe remarked, "We are very happy to welcome Malick. He is a player I have admired for quite some time and will definitely enhance our defensive options.

"Although Malick is still young, he brings essential experience from Champions League matches, as well as his time in the Bundesliga and Serie A, which significantly benefits us as we return to European competitions this season."

Thiaw, who has earned three caps for Germany, transferred to AC Milan from Schalke in 2022.

Last season, he played 31 matches across all competitions for the Serie A side, netting his only goal during the Champions League against Real Madrid in November.

Newcastle will commence their Premier League season with a match against Aston Villa on Saturday.

'A contemporary defensive hybrid'

Thiaw's addition to the squad should mitigate some of the discontent surrounding Newcastle and their disappointing summer transfer activities.

He had been high on Howe’s list of desired signings for quite a while, and it's clear why. He embodies a contemporary defensive hybrid and showcases an uncommon blend of physical prowess and technical skills.

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, the defender excels in aerial challenges while possessing a rapid pace that aligns with Newcastle's preferred high defensive line.

He is tactically adaptable, capable of playing on either the right or left side of the defense, and has also been utilized in a central role within a back three during the 2022-23 season.

In terms of technical ability, Thiaw excels at delivering line-breaking passes and diagonal switches. During the 2024-25 season, he ranked among the top 10 defenders for completed long passes, averaging 3.5 per game in Italy’s top league.

Despite his proactive passing style, he rarely loses possession; last season in Serie A, only two defenders surpassed his impressive passing accuracy of 93.6%.

Securing a young defender stood out as a significant goal during this transfer period, especially with Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, and Fabian Schar all exceeding 30 years in age and Sven Botman dealing with injury issues.

Thiaw has recently celebrated his 24th birthday, and while he may not take over the position of the 33-year-old Schar right away, he is seen as a future replacement. At this stage in his career, he is perfectly positioned to grow under Howe’s guidance and has ample time to refine his already notable skills.