Newcastle sign Malick Thiaw: Shirt number confirmed and first words from £34.6m signing

Newcastle United have announced the signing of defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.

The 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a long-term contract and moves to St James’ Park for a reported €35m (£30.2m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

Newcastle has endured a frustrating summer transfer window thus far, having missed out on a plethora of top targets in multiple positions, while the ongoing uncertainty of Liverpool-linked striker Alexander Isak has left many Magpies supporters down in the dumps.

However, head coach Eddie Howe will hope that the arrival of Thiaw will turn some of those frowns upside down, with the Germany international becoming the club’s third new arrival ahead of the 2025-26 season after winger Anthony Elanga and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

"We're really pleased to have Malick on board,” Howe told Newcastle’s official website. “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."

I'm Malick Thiaw. I'm Newcastle United. ? pic.twitter.com/0yfd4jx9Uc

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 12, 2025

Thiaw reacts to joining “massive club” Newcastle

Reacting to his permanent move to Newcastle, Thiaw said: "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.

"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 will wear the No.12 shirt and could be available to make his debut for the Magpies in Saturday’s Premier League opener away against Aston Villa.

Born in Dusseldorf, Thiaw began his professional career with Schalke 04 before leaving in 2022 to join Milan, where he made a total of 85 first-team appearances across all tournaments.

Last season, the 6ft 4in central defender played 31 times for Milan and helped the club win the Supercoppa Italiana, although the Rossoneri had to settle for an eighth-placed finish in Serie A and lost the Coppa Italia final to Bologna.

Thiaw is now looking forward to battling with Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn for regular starts in the heart of Newcastle’s defence in the new season.