Newcastle United green light transfer exit as £26m deal confirmed
Newcastle United transfers: The Magpies have completed the signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek for £26million.
There is set to be more movement in the goalkeeper department at Newcastle United after the club agreed a £26million deal to sign Lukas Hornicek from Braga.
The 24-year-old has been backed to become Newcastle’s new first-choice goalkeeper for the new 2026/27 Premier League season. The transfer will also pave the way for Nick Pope’s exit from the football club.
As reported by The Gazette earlier this summer, Pope has been made available to leave Newcastle this summer. The 34-year-old joined the Magpies in 2022 and has gone on to play a key role at the club under Eddie Howe, making 131 appearances.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
James Trafford truth
But the goalkeeper position is one Newcastle have been trying to address for several years, having tried to strike a deal for James Trafford in each of the last three summer transfer windows. Ultimately the Magpies were unable to agree a deal for Trafford last summer or the summer before, and he ended up re-joining Manchester City instead in 2025.
Newcastle had the chance to sign Trafford again this summer and retained an interest but ultimately steered clear due to the finances involved, particularly wages. The England international ended up joining Leeds United for £40million plus add-ons instead, signing a contract reportedly worth £130,000-a-week.
As previously reported by The Gazette, Newcastle would consider an older, more experienced goalkeeper as an alternative to Trafford. Crystal Palace and England goalkeeper Dean Henderson was one of those who held talks with the club.
But Ross Wilson assessed the situation and felt better value was to be found on the continent and have been able to sign 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen and Hornicek for a combined fee of £44million and combined wages that are well short of what Trafford is on at Elland Road.
Nick Pope available to leave
The Gazette understands that Hornicek’s arrival will see Newcastle green light Pope’s departure, though a potential suitor is yet to materialise.
Ipswich Town initially held talks and an interest in the goalkeeper at the start of the summer, but Kieran McKenna’s departure saw them explore and sign alternative options. Pope was thought to be willing to take a wage cut to join his boyhood club but will now have to assess other potenail options.
Leeds were also credited with an interest in Pope but have since signed Trafford.
Hull City explored the signing of Hornicek this summer but the player ultimately preferred a move to Tyneside instead. But the transfer could still have a knock-on impact on the Tigers, who have also been credited with an interest in Pope.
Should a reasonable offer come in for Pope in the final weeks of the transfer window, he will be allowed to leave. The goalkeeper’s contract at Newcastle expires at the end of the 2026/27 season.
Ewen Jaouen’s situation
Jaouen was signed by Newcastle as a long-term player but with the plan of having him as a second-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming campaign. As a result, he will likely play in cup matches for the club with the view to getting him some experience while also allowing him to adapt to his new surroundings on Tyneside.
The Gazette understands that Newcastle have had interest from Ligue 1 and La Liga clubs regarding taking Jaouen on loan for the season but the club plans on keeping him around to monitor his development as an understudy to Hornicek.