Newcastle sign Braga keeper Hornicek for £25.7m

Newcastle United has signed goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Braga for a fee of £25.7 million. The 24-year-old Czech international completed his transfer by arriving at Newcastle's training camp in Spain to sign a five-year contract after the club activated his release clause. Hornicek expressed his excitement about joining the club, stating that it is a brilliant opportunity in a new league and that he received a fantastic welcome from everyone at the club.

He praised the atmosphere at St James' Park, with 52,000 fans creating an incredible environment. Newcastle had been actively seeking a more established number one goalkeeper after Ewen Jaouen joined from Reims earlier in the summer. Hornicek's impressive performance last season, including seven clean sheets and being the top passer in the Portuguese top-flight, caught the attention of the Premier League club.

Sporting director Ross Wilson highlighted Hornicek's remarkable progress, noting that he has become one of Europe's top young goalkeepers. Newcastle's previous seasons have seen leaky goalkeeping, with eight clean sheets in the Premier League and 55 goals conceded. With Hornicek's 6ft 6in stature and ability to play out from the back, the English club hopes to improve their defensive capabilities as they embark on a new cycle under head coach Mattias Jaissle.