Newcastle United have made a significant statement of intent, smashing their club-record transfer fee to secure the services of German striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. The Magpies reportedly shelled out a staggering £73.5 million (€85 million) for the highly-rated forward, eclipsing the £63 million they paid for Alexander Isak three years prior. This move underscores Eddie Howe's ambition to bolster his attacking options and propel Newcastle further up the Premier League table.
The acquisition of Woltemade comes after reported interest in Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen, both of whom were linked with a move to St. James' Park. However, Woltemade emerged as a primary target this week, swiftly traveling to Tyneside for a medical on Friday before the deal was officially confirmed a day later. The 23-year-old has penned a long-term contract with the club, signaling Newcastle's belief in his potential to become a key player for years to come.
“I’m really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me,” Woltemade told the club’s official media channel. He continued, “It’s a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family. I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level. I know the stadium from watching games on television; it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I’m really excited to play and start scoring goals here.”
Woltemade's journey to Newcastle has been an impressive one. He joined Stuttgart on a free transfer from Werder Bremen last season, quickly establishing himself as a prolific goalscorer with 17 goals in 33 appearances. His stellar performances extended to the international stage, where he finished as the top scorer at the Under-21s European Championship, netting six goals for Germany. This impressive feat reportedly attracted the attention of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, but Newcastle moved swiftly to secure his signature.
Eddie Howe expressed his delight at the signing, stating, “We’re delighted to get Nick’s signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options. He’s strong in a lot of areas; he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe’s top leagues, but he’s also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here. Nick is a great character too and we’re really pleased to welcome him to the group.”
The Newcastle faithful will be eager to see Woltemade in action, particularly given his impressive statistics. Only Kylian Mbappe (10.9) and Mohamed Salah (10.3) managed more than his 9.4 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes since the start of last season across Europe’s top five leagues. Furthermore, he averaged two or more aerial duels won, shots, and chances created from open play per 90 minutes in the 2024-25 Bundesliga, a feat only matched by Thomas Muller (four times) among German players since detailed data collection began in 2004-05.
Luca Waldschmidt, with seven goals in 2019, remains the only player to have scored more for Germany in a single edition of the Under-21 European Championship, narrowly surpassing Woltemade's six in 2025. With growing expectations, it remains to be seen if Isak will join Liverpool.
Newcastle fans will be hoping that Woltemade can replicate this form in the Premier League and quickly become a key figure in Howe's side. The immediate question is whether Woltemade was registered in time for Saturday’s visit to Leeds United in the Premier League. His arrival certainly adds a new dimension to Newcastle's attack and raises the bar for the season ahead. The signing undoubtedly sends a clear message that Newcastle are serious about competing with the Premier League's elite.
