Woltemade joins Newcastle for club-record fee
Newcastle United has smashed its club-record transfer fee after signing Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade on a long-term deal.
Eddie Howe's side has reportedly splashed £73.5 million ($151.7 million) on the Germany international, beating the £63 million ($150.6 million) paid for Alexander Isak three years ago.
Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen, both of whom could still arrive at St. James' Park, had been reported targets for much of the transfer window amid uncertainty about Isak's future.
However, Woltemade emerged as another option this week before travelling to Tyneside for his medical on Friday, with the deal confirmed a day later.
"I'm really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me," Woltemade said.
"It's a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family.
"I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.
"I know the stadium from watching games on television; it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I'm really excited to play and start scoring goals here."
Woltemade joined Stuttgart on a free transfer from Werder Bremen last season, going on to score 17 goals in 33 games.
The towering forward then finished the Under-21 European championship as top scorer, finding the net six times for Germany and reportedly drew interest from last season's Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich.
But the Magpies swooped to capture the signature of the 23-year-old, whom Howe will hope is an instant hit at St. James' Park amid growing expectations his arrival could see Isak join Liverpool.
"We're delighted to get Nick's signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options," Howe said.
"He's strong in a lot of areas; he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe's top leagues, but he's also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here.
"Nick is a great character too and we're really pleased to welcome him to the group."
