Newcastle United have completed the acquisition of Czech international goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Portuguese side Braga for a reported fee of £25.7 million. The 24‑year‑old custodian signed a five‑year contract, with Newcastle triggering his release clause to bring him to St James' Park as their new first‑choice shot‑stopper. Hornicek arrives in England as the club's fifth summer signing, joining fellow newcomers Ewan Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba. The Czech keeper expressed his excitement about the move, describing the past few days as an "emotional rollercoaster" and saying he is delighted to be in a new league.
He praised the warm welcome he received from the club and its supporters, noting the passionate atmosphere created by the 52,000 fans at St James' Park and his eagerness to perform in front of them. "It's a brilliant opportunity in a new league, which I'm very excited about," Hornicek said.
"From the very first moment I arrived here, I received a fantastic welcome and really felt the warmth of the club. Everyone has been brilliant in helping me settle in. 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's sporting director Ross Wilson welcomed the addition, highlighting Hornicek's rapid development over recent seasons. "I'm delighted to welcome Lukas to Newcastle United.
His progress in recent years has been remarkable and he has firmly established himself as one of Europe's top young goalkeepers," Wilson said. He added that many clubs were expected to vie for Hornicek's signature after his standout performances last season, but the goalkeeper showed a clear desire to join the Magpies and contribute to the project being built by the club. The swift conclusion of the deal allowed Hornicek to join the squad for the opening days of Newcastle's pre‑season training camp in Spain.
Wilson believes this early integration will be beneficial, giving the new signing a chance to bond with teammates and understand the coaching staff's expectations before the competitive season begins. While the focus remains on Hornicek's arrival, Newcastle continue to monitor interest in their captain Bruno Guimarães.
Arsenal have reportedly been exploring a possible formal approach for the Brazilian midfielder, using intermediaries over recent weeks. However, no direct club‑to‑club contact has been confirmed, leaving Newcastle uncertain about the seriousness of the Gunners' intentions. Some reports suggested Guimarães was due to report to the pre‑season camp in Spain on Sunday, but his presence has not been officially verified. The midfielder has indicated he would consider a move to the Premier League champions if a satisfactory offer is presented, though Newcastle are keen to retain their captain, who still has two years left on his contract with an additional year option held by the club.
The club is also preparing for the arrival of a new head coach. Incoming manager Matthias Jaissle is currently in Spain, and a formal announcement confirming Eddie Howe's departure and Jaissle's appointment is expected shortly.
Below is a summary of Newcastle's summer transfer activity, including both incoming and outgoing players: **Incoming Transfers:** - Ewan Jaouen (from Reims) – £18.5 million - Bazoumana Toure (from Hoffenheim) – £42 million - Sean Steur (from Ajax) – £23 million - Aladji Bamba (from Monaco) – £35.5 million - Lukas Hornicek (from Braga) – £25.7 million - Sandro Tonali (from Tottenham) – £100 million - Anthony Gordon (from Barcelona) – £69.3 million - Joe White (from Crewe) – undisclosed fee - Travis Hernes (from Groningen) – undisclosed fee - Matt Targett (from Hull) – free transfer - Charlie McArthur (from York) – free transfer - Ezra Tika‑Lemba (from Middlesbrough) – free transfer - Kieran Trippier (from Wolves) – free transfer - Odysseas Vlachodimos (from Sevilla) – loan - Harrison Ashby (from Luton) – loan - Antonio Cordero (from Cadiz) – loan **Departures:** - Emil Krafth – released - John Ruddy – released - Max Thompson – released Hornicek's signing reflects Newcastle's strategy of reinforcing the squad with a blend of experienced internationals and promising talents. As the club prepares for the upcoming Premier League campaign, the addition of a reliable goalkeeper is expected to add stability to the defensive unit, complementing the attacking options that have been bolstered over the summer. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest Newcastle United news, transfer developments, and match analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, downloading the Sky Sports app, or visiting the website. The club's pre‑season training camp in Spain will give supporters a first glimpse of how the new signings, including Hornicek, are integrating into the team ahead of the new season's start.