Newcastle Signs Goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek for £25.7m

Newcastle United have made their move for a new number one, sealing the £25.7m signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Braga on a five-year deal.

The 24-year-old Czech Republic international flew straight to the club’s training camp in Spain over the weekend to complete the formalities after Newcastle triggered his release clause, underlining how quickly the club wanted this done.

They had already brought in 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen from Reims earlier in the summer. That was one for the future. This is different. This is a statement that the starting shirt is up for grabs now.

An emotional Hornicek admitted the scale of the move had hit him hard.

“The last few days have been an emotional rollercoaster from when I first heard about the move and now I'm so happy to be here,” he said, describing the switch as “a brilliant opportunity in a new league” and praising the “fantastic welcome” he has received.

He already knows exactly what he is walking into at St James’ Park.

“I know Newcastle is a huge football city, with 52,000 fans at St James' Park creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing the team every game. I can't wait to play in front of them.”

Newcastle have not moved on a hunch. They have tracked Hornicek’s rise closely, particularly his outstanding campaign in Europe last season. He kept seven clean sheets during Braga’s run to the Europa League semi-finals, more than any other goalkeeper in the competition.

His numbers in Portugal’s top flight tell the same story of a modern, front-foot keeper. Opta data shows Hornicek ranked second for successful passes (846) and fourth for passing accuracy (75%) among goalkeepers in the league last season, underlining why a side that wants to build from the back has pushed hard to get him.

Inside the club, the belief in his ceiling is clear. Sporting director Ross Wilson called his development “remarkable” and placed him firmly in the elite bracket of emerging European goalkeepers.

“He has firmly established himself as one of Europe's top young goalkeepers,” Wilson said, adding that Newcastle were fully aware they would face strong competition for his signature after last season’s exploits. The key, he stressed, was Hornicek’s determination to join the project on Tyneside: “It quickly became evident how keen he was to be a part of what we are building here.”

Newcastle now have their new anchor at the back. The next question is simple: how quickly can Hornicek turn those Europa League numbers into Premier League authority under the glare of 52,000 at St James’ Park?