Newcastle United have signed defender Amar Dedic from Benfica for about £30m.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international has joined the club on a five-year deal after having a medical on Tyneside on Monday.
He has reunited with manager Matthias Jaissle, with whom he previously won the Austrian title at Red Bull Salzburg in 2023.
“It’s a special feeling and a really big honour for me to join Newcastle United,” he said after the move was announced on Tuesday, his 24th birthday.
“I’m really happy to be here and can’t wait to start playing for the club and the amazing fans.
“Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me. We know each other well. He knows what I can bring on the pitch and I’m really happy to be playing for him again.
“Playing Premier League football at St James’ Park is going to be really special. Every game feels like a big occasion, with an amazing atmosphere. I’m really excited to get started.”
Newcastle had been in the market for a new right-back following the departure of veteran Kieran Trippier, who joined Wolves on a free transfer when his contract expired earlier this summer.
Dedic could quickly be called upon to feature in Newcastle’s season opener at home to Liverpool on Sunday as Tino Livramento is still recovering from a calf injury he sustained on international duty with England in June.
Jaissle said he was “really looking forward” to working with the defender again.
“He’s a player who I know really well, having worked with him from a young age in Austria and followed his career since,” he said.
“He will bring both defensive and attacking qualities to our squad, which suits the style of football that we want to play.
“He’s athletic, aggressive and technically very good, but also has a lot of potential to develop further.”
Analysis: Dedic ‘incredibly hungry’ to prove himself
Dedic has already experienced what it is like to play at St James’ Park.
The defender was part of the Benfica side thumped 3-0 by Newcastle in the Champions League last season, so he will be hoping for a much happier experience if he lines up against Liverpool on Sunday.
Dedic is one of Newcastle’s oldest signings this summer – which is saying something – and only the second over the age of 20, alongside goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
The defender has never played in the Premier League before and, like all of Newcastle’s six arrivals, he will need time to adapt to the intensity and physicality of the top-flight.
But Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson has already noted how Dedic “incredibly hungry” to prove himself.
Dedic, crucially, already knows what Jaissle demands and expects from his full-backs, so it is likely the head coach will not think twice about throwing him in at the weekend, even after just a handful of training sessions with his new team-mates.
He certainly has the engine to get up and down the pitch.
Although Dedic only made 24 appearances in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last season, he ranked second for full-backs for carries into the attacking third (49) and third for progressive carries (202) and total carries (325).
His ability to also offer cover at left-back will be invaluable, but Newcastle clearly need further reinforcements before the window shuts on 1 September.
Source: BBC
