Sven Botman: Newcastle complete signing of Lille defender | Football News
Newcastle have completed the signing of Lille centre-back Sven Botman on a five-year deal.
The total fee for the defender is in the region of £35m.
The Dutchman has been Eddie Howe’s No 1 defensive transfer target this summer. The club did earmark the defender as a January transfer target but negotiations with Lille had proved complicated.
They have beaten off competition from AC Milan for his signature.
Botman said: “I’m really happy – delighted – and I can’t wait to start this new adventure. This is the best day of my life, to sign a contract with Newcastle United. It’s a day I’ve worked hard for and I’m very excited.
“Newcastle had a long-term plan to get to the top, for both me and for the club, and they play in the Premier League, which is the best league in Europe. The whole package is just perfect. I’m looking forward now to meeting the fans and also my new team-mates.”
Head coach Eddie Howe added: “I’m delighted Sven is joining us. He is technically very good, physically very good and has a great attitude.
“At 22, he already has solid experience at the top level but he is at a great age to grow with this team. I am looking forward to getting to work with him and seeing him with his new team-mates.”
Newcastle are now expected to continue their search for more attacking options and have been linked with Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.
Newcastle fixtures 2022/23: Forest first up
Newcastle United will host newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
After a trip to Brighton on the second weekend, Eddie Howe’s Magpies host Premier League champions Manchester City on August 20, before finishing the month with trips to Wolves and Liverpool.
Howe faces former club Bournemouth at home on September 17, while the visit of Brentford on October 8 marks the one-year anniversary of the Newcastle’s Saudi-backed takeover.
Newcastle travel to Leicester on Boxing Day, host Leeds on New Year’s Eve, and then travel to Arsenal on January 2, before concluding their campaign away at Chelsea.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 10 and closes at 11pm on September 1?
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
