Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw in a deal worth £34.6 million including add-ons.
The Germany international has penned a long-term contract and becomes Eddie Howe’s third arrival of the summer after winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.
Thiaw joined AC Milan from Schalke in 2022, making 85 appearances across three seasons and winning the Supercoppa Italiana last season.
He featured 31 times for the Rossoneri in all competitions last season as they settled for an eighth-place Serie A finish.
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What can Thiaw offer to the Magpies?
Thiaw, who has three senior caps for Germany, joins to bolster a Newcastle backline that already includes Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles.
A new central defender was a must-have for Howe ahead of the upcoming season as he looks to increase competition and inject youth into his experienced squad.
At 24, Thiaw is seen as a player who can offer both an immediate impact and room to develop further in the Premier League.
His physical presence, aerial ability and defensive instincts have drawn long-term interest from Newcastle’s recruitment team.
I'm Malick Thiaw. I'm Newcastle United. 😍 pic.twitter.com/0yfd4jx9Uc
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 12, 2025
“I'm really excited to join this massive club. I can't wait to start training and to get to know my new team-mates and all the staff,” Thiaw told the club's website.
“The gaffer showed me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really exciting.
“I think Newcastle speaks for itself. It's a great club, a big club with passionate fans who I can't wait to see at St James' Park.”
Thiaw would certainly have endeared himself to the Newcastle fans with those words, especially considering that it has been far from a straightforward summer for the Magpies.
They missed out on high-profile targets Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, James Trafford and Joao Pedro, all of whom joined Premier League rivals, while star striker Alexander Isak continues to push for a move to Liverpool.
Howe described the signing as a significant coup, adding: “We're really pleased to have Malick on board. He's a player I've admired for a long time and somebody who will add real quality to our defensive options.
“Malick is still young but brings valuable experience of Champions League football, as well as playing in the Bundesliga and Serie A, which is a major positive for us as we return to Europe this season,” the Newcastle boss said.
The Magpies kick off their Premier League season away at Aston Villa on Saturday (August 16).
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