Newcastle United’s move for Ajax youngster Sean Steur has drawn criticism in the Dutch media.

The brother of Newcastle United summer signing Sean Steur has hit back at fierce criticism over the former Ajax midfielder’s move to St James’ Park.

The Magpies had been monitoring the youngster’s progress with the Eredivisie champions over a number of months and they made their move to secure his services earlier this month when they agreed a deal worth a reported £20m. The Netherlands youth international made his first appearance in a black and white shirt in a 3-0 win against National League North side Darlington in a behind closed doors pre-season friendly over the weekend and will be in the Magpies squad that will visit Gateshead next Saturday lunchtime.

Sean Steur of Ajax in action during the Como Cup Final match between Como 1907 and Ajax at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 27, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — Sean Steur of Ajax in action during the Como Cup Final match between Como 1907 and Ajax at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 27, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The surprise move to Tyneside has drawn criticism in some sections of the Dutch press with ESPN NL suggesting the young midfielder’s early months with Newcastle are ‘going to be hell’ and De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen has suggested Steur will struggle to make an impact and suggested the deal was motivated by greed. Another journalist, Johan Derksen, also criticised the move and accused Steur’s father of ‘throwing the lad to the lions’.

He said: “I don’t think that lad is physically up to the task of playing in England’s top flight. He’s not ready for that yet. But if they can make money, they’re so greedy they’ll throw that lad to the lions.”

However, Steur’s brother, Roy, a goalkeeper with second tier club Volendam, has hit back at the comments and refuted claims his father was acting as an agent for the Magpies latest summer signing.

He told FCUpdate.nl: “It doesn’t really bother us that much. We know what our father is like: he always protects us and is always there for us. He is always there for us. People who know my father also know that what those people are saying is pure bull. It is being said that my father is Sean’s agent: that is already incorrect. People are already coming up with information that isn’t true. We attach little value to everything that is said.”

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