Newcastle United has officially announced the signing of defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan for a reported fee of £34.6 million, including add-ons. The 24-year-old Germany international becomes the Magpies' third addition of the summer, following the arrivals of winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.

Expressing his excitement about joining Newcastle, Thiaw stated, "I'm really excited to join this massive club. I can't wait to start training and to get to know my new teammates and all the staff." He highlighted manager Eddie Howe's vision for his role within the team as a significant factor in his decision to move to St James' Park.

The addition of Thiaw addresses a pressing need for Newcastle, as Howe aims to enhance competition in the defensive ranks and lower the average age of the squad. The club has faced challenges in securing transfers this summer, missing out on several targets, including Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro. Despite these setbacks, Howe is optimistic about Thiaw's potential impact, noting his Champions League experience and prior stints in both the Bundesliga and Serie A.

Thiaw, who has three caps for Germany, previously joined AC Milan from Schalke in 2022. Last season, he made 31 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring his sole goal in a Champions League match against Real Madrid. As Newcastle prepares for their Premier League opener against Aston Villa, Thiaw's arrival is seen as a crucial step in fortifying their defense as they seek to build on their recent competitive successes.