Newcastle United Sporting Director Ross Wilson has been reacting after the club took their summer spending beyond the £150m mark.
Monday morning seeing confirmation that Lukas Hornicek has signed for NUFC.
The Sporting Braga goalkeeper becoming Newcastle United’s fifth summer signing.
The club saying ‘undisclosed fee’ as usual but it had been widely reported that United had triggered a £25.7m contract release clause for Lukas Hornicek.
An official club announcement on Monday revealing that the 24-year-old 6ft 6 keeper has agreed a five-year contract.
Fellow goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen was first to arrived this summer, the 20-year-old arriving from Stade de Reims in a reported £24.6m deal.
Then 20-year-old winger Bazoumana Toure came in for £43m from Hoffenheim.
Sean Steur next, £23m invested in the 18-year-old midfielder.
Then 20-year-old midfielder Aladji Bamba signed from Monaco in a £35.5m deal.
Newcastle United Sporting Director Ross Wilson commenting on Monday as his summer spend reaches just short of £152m according to my calculations, based on the reported transfer fees: “I’m delighted to welcome Lukáš to Newcastle United. His progress in recent years has been remarkable and he has firmly established himself as one of Europe’s top young goalkeepers. We knew there would be no shortage of clubs interested in acquiring Lukáš this summer after everything he achieved last season, but it quickly became evident how keen he was to be a part of what we are building here. I’m really pleased we’ve able to conclude the deal swiftly, which has enabled Lukáš to join the squad during the opening days of our pre-season training camp in Spain. Being here for the next week will only benefit him as he gets to know his new team-mates and coaching staff.”
On Thursday night, with him set to sign for Newcastle United, the goalkeeper was left out of the Sporting Braga matchday squad against Zeleznicar Pancevo and in his absence Sporting Braga won 4-0 in the Conference League qualifier.
Hull City triggered his release clause earlier this summer but the Sporting Braga keeper then turned them down.
The 6ft 6 goalkeeper turned 24 in July and has had a huge breakthrough year.
He became first choice for Sporting Braga and helped them to finish fourth in the domestic league, reach the semi-finals of the Europa League, as well as runners-up in the Portuguese League Cup. In the process he managed 24 clean sheets across all competitions, including 11 in the Europa League.
The 6ft 6 goalkeeper made his debut for the Czech Republic in May, on the back of his outstanding club season. Lukas Hornicek an unused sub in the three Czech Republic matches at the World Cup this summer.