'What can I say?' - Nick Woltemade describes Newcastle United in two words with classy 2026 message
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade has delivered a New Year’s message heading into 2026.
2025 saw Nick Woltemade complete a £65million club record transfer from VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle United in the summer.
Earlier in the year, the 23-year-old helped Stuttgart win the DFB-Pokal while also picking up the Golden Boot in the 2025 Under-21s European Championships as Germany finished runners-up to England. Woltemade also broke into the German senior squad, where he has since scored four goals in eight appearances.
Woltemade has enjoyed a positive first half-season at Newcastle since his record move, scoring nine goals in all competitions and heading into 2026 as the club’s top scorer so far this campaign.
But there have been some downs for the German forward, who scored a decisive own goal in the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland last month. Fortunately, Woltemade quickly responded with a brace against Chelsea at St James’ Park in the following Premier League match.
His move to Newcastle was also heavily criticised by sections of the German media and certain individuals connected with Bayern Munich, who had attempted to sign him earlier in the summer.
The Magpies were branded ‘idiots’ by Bayern legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge for paying the £65million fee rising to £69million for a player who had joined Stuttgart on a free transfer just a year prior.
But that highlights what a year it has been for the young forward, who was keen to reflect on it in an Instagram statement along with a gallery of images.
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On Instagram, Woltemade referenced the ‘incredibly warm welcome’ he received on Tyneside as he wrote: “2025 – what can I say?
“Probably my most successful and most beautiful year as a football player. I learned so much, faced and mastered many exciting challenges, and experienced unforgettable moments that I will carry with me forever. Honestly, I’m simply proud of this year and of everything I was able to experience.
“All of this motivates me to keep pushing forward and to create even more of these moments.
“A special thank you to the fans in Stuttgart for a respectful farewell, and to the fans in Newcastle for the incredibly warm welcome that meant a lot to me from day one.
“Above all, I’m most grateful for one thing: My health. Without good health, none of this would have been possible. I am thankful for it every single day of 2025.
“My final message for this year is simple: Be grateful for the things that are so obvious. Gratitude leads to happiness—and to truly enjoying every moment life gives us.
“2026—let’s get even better!”
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Newcastle United looking to build on a memorable 2025
Despite an underwhelming first half to the 2025/26 season, Newcastle are looking to build on what was the club’s most successful year in recent memory.
The Magpies ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup in March before following that up with Champions League qualification two months later.
An eventful summer saw the club break their transfer record with the purchase of Woltemade while also agreeing a Premier League record sale which saw Alexander Isak join Liverpool for £130million.
Although Newcastle’s league form has been inconsistent, they head into 2026 into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup and most likely the knockout stages of the Champions League.