Thiaw signs for Newcastle United

Malick Thiaw joins Newcastle United on a four-year contract from AC Milan, inspired by his first exposure to the club through the film Goal.

Thiaw signs for Newcastle after childhood Goal inspiration

Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan on a four-year contract. The deal is reported around £34 million, and Thiaw will wear the No.12 jersey after Jamal Lewis left the club. He is in contention to make his debut against Aston Villa in the Premier League opener, depending on fitness and match sharpness. The 24-year-old defender brings Champions League experience and a growing reputation as a ball-playing centre-back.

Thiaw's arrival fits Eddie Howe's plan to refresh Newcastle's defence with younger depth as Fabian Schar approaches the end of his contract. The move also carries a cultural note for the club, with Thiaw citing his childhood exposure to Newcastle through the movie Goal! and his long-standing interest in the Premier League. Milan publicly thanked him as part of a farewell post, and the transfer positions Newcastle as a European challenger again as the Champions League returns to St James' Park.

The signing signals Newcastle United’s intent to build a younger, more mobile spine while balancing experience with European know-how. It also underscores how the club blends culture and sport, using a popular film to highlight a personal connection. As Thiaw joins, questions rise about squad balance, wage costs, and how the team will sustain momentum across domestic and European campaigns.

Highlights

A new chapter opens for both a club hungry for silverware and a defender ready to prove himself in England.