Newcastle United have made their first significant transfer since Eddie Howe's departure, confirming the signing of Czech international goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Braga on a five-year contract. The Premier League club announced the deal on Monday, with the fee reported to be around €30.6 million (£26.2 million) for the 24-year-old.
The move brings to Newcastle a shot-stopper who enjoyed a breakout campaign in Portugal, having helped guide Braga to the semi-finals of the Europa League. Hornicek's performances in that run were particularly notable, as he recorded seven clean sheets in the competition, more than any other goalkeeper across the tournament.
Speaking after finalising the switch, Hornicek described the whirlwind nature of the past few days. "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 in a statement released by the club. He went on to praise the reception he received upon arriving on Tyneside, adding: "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 to experience matchdays at St. James' Park, referencing the passionate backing of Newcastle's supporters and the stadium's reputed 52,000-strong crowd as a major draw for him in choosing the move.
Hornicek's path to becoming a full-time Braga player began back in 2019, when he arrived on loan from Czech side Pardubice. That temporary arrangement was later converted into a permanent transfer, and it was only this year that he cemented his status as the club's undisputed number one. His rise has coincided with growing recognition on the international stage: he earned his first cap for the Czech Republic in May and was subsequently included in his country's squad for the World Cup in North America. However, he did not see any playing time as the Czechs were eliminated at the group stage of that tournament.
The timing of the signing is significant for Newcastle, arriving just three days after the club confirmed that Eddie Howe would be leaving his post as head coach. Howe's exit brought to a close an era of almost five years in charge, a tenure that included the historic achievement of ending Newcastle's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy when the club defeated Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup in 2025.
In a personal statement explaining his decision to step down, Howe reflected on the emotional weight of leaving the role. "After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United," he wrote. He continued: "After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break. Although it's been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it's the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I've been here, and this one is no different."
With Howe's departure confirmed, attention at St. James' Park has already turned toward the future direction of the club, with German coach Matthias Jaissle reportedly lined up as his successor. The signing of Hornicek, though, represents the first concrete step of this new chapter, giving Newcastle a goalkeeper with proven pedigree at continental level as they look to build for the seasons ahead.
Based on reporting from The Independent.