Newcastle United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Braga in a deal worth £25.7 million, addressing what had become a glaring weakness in the squad after a difficult defensive campaign last season.
The 24-year-old Czech Republic international travelled to Newcastle's pre-season training camp in Spain over the weekend to put the finishing touches to his move, signing a five-year contract after the Magpies triggered the release clause in his Braga deal.
Hornicek becomes the club's second goalkeeping addition of the summer, following the arrival of 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen from Reims, but his signing signals that Newcastle were determined to secure a more experienced figure to take over as first-choice stopper.
Speaking after sealing the transfer, Hornicek described the process as a whirlwind. "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. "It's a brilliant opportunity in a new league, which I'm very excited about. 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."
The goalkeeper also spoke of his anticipation at experiencing English football's atmosphere. "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 interest in Hornicek stemmed from his standout displays during Braga's run to the Europa League semi-finals last season, in which he recorded seven clean sheets — more than any other goalkeeper in the competition. Statistics from Opta also showed he ranked second among Portuguese top-flight goalkeepers for successful passes, with 846, and fourth for passing accuracy at 75%, underlining his reputation as a modern, ball-playing keeper.
Newcastle's sporting director, Ross Wilson, praised the timing and calibre of the signing. "His progress in recent years has been remarkable," Wilson said. "He has firmly established himself as one of Europe's top young goalkeepers. We knew there would be no shortage of clubs interested in acquiring Lukas this summer after everything he achieved last season, but it quickly became evident how keen he was to be a part of what we are building here."
The move comes after a torrid defensive campaign for Newcastle, who kept only eight clean sheets in the Premier League last season while conceding 55 goals — the fourth-worst defensive record in the division, with only relegated Burnley, West Ham and Wolves, along with Leeds and Tottenham, faring worse. Beyond issues further up the pitch, goalkeeper Nick Pope was culpable for several costly errors, while loanee Aaron Ramsdale failed to convince before returning to Southampton at the end of his spell.
Strengthening the goalkeeping ranks was therefore viewed as essential, and Newcastle have again turned to continental markets to find their man. The club's recruitment this summer has largely focused on players aged 20 or under, having also brought in Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba, meaning the 24-year-old Hornicek arrives as a relatively senior addition by comparison.
Despite that, Hornicek only became a first-choice goalkeeper at Braga some 18 months ago and will have limited time to adjust to the physical demands of the Premier League. His height — he stands at 6ft 6in — should aid his transition, while his composure with the ball at his feet is expected to bring a different dimension to Newcastle's play as the club begins a new era under incoming head coach Mattias Jaissle, whose appointment is expected to be confirmed shortly.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.