'Good deal' - Newcastle United £26.2m agreement revealed by club president
Newcastle United paid slightly more than Lukas Hornicek’s release clause to sign the goalkeeper from Braga.
Braga president Antonio Salvador has revealed Newcastle United paid slightly more than Lukas Hornicek’s release clause.
The Magpies overhauled their goalkeeping department during the summer as part of a major squad rebuild, bringing in both Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, with Nick Pope dropping to third choice.
Jaouen joined from French side Stade de Reims in an £18million deal, with the 20-year-old arriving on the understanding that he would serve as the second-choice goalkeeper and be given opportunities in cup competitions.
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The Frenchman became the club’s first summer signing before Hornicek joined from Braga during the brief period when Newcastle were without a head coach as they finalised a deal for Matthias Jaissle to take over from Eddie Howe.
Hornicek attracted interest from other European clubs and was even linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but the Magpies were so determined to sign him that they paid above his £25.7million release clause.
“We believed Hornicek could stay this year, but he had a release clause and there was a club [Newcastle] who actually paid more, they paid €30.57m [£26.2million] when the clause was €30m,” Salvador told A Bola.
“It was a good deal for the club and for the player, who also had the ambition of playing in the English league.”
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And the 24-year-old has already made an immediate impact for Jaissle’s side. He is second only to Leeds United’s James Trafford - another former long-term Newcastle target - for the most saves in the Premier League this season.
“Honestly, when I saw it on social media, I was surprised myself,” Hornicek said on the speculation surrounding his future. “I had no idea about the interest of such clubs. It was more about speculation.
“I’ve had several offers. Newcastle actually joined last, but they immediately outlined the project to me. They told me what they expected from me and promised the role of number one. Plus, they acted very quickly, and there was no problem even with the money Braga wanted for me. I didn’t hesitate for a minute.”