Newcastle United's New Defender Has a Combination of Power That Will Fear Opposing Strikers

Muhe - Wednesday, 13 August 2025 | 03:00 PM (WIB)

Newcastle United's New Defender Has a Combination of Power That Will Fear Opposing Strikers

90 MIN FOOTBALL - Amidst the Alexander Isak drama, Newcastle United officially signed German center-back Malick Thiaw. He becomes Newcastle's third signing of this summer's transfer window.
Thiaw joined Newcastle from AC Milan. He joined Newcastle following the arrivals of wingers Antonio Cordero from Malaga and Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.
Regarding his move to Newcastle, Thiaw said he was thrilled to be joining a big club like Newcastle. He can't wait to start training and playing under Eddie Howe.
"I'm really excited to join this great club. I can't wait to start training and get to know my new teammates and the entire staff," Thiaw told the club's official website.
"The manager has shown me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really encouraging. I think Newcastle have proven that. It's a great club, a big club with passionate fans, and I can't wait to see him at St. James' Park," he added.

Thiaw's Career Journey

Thiaw is currently 24 years old, a prime age for a footballer. He was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, on August 8, 2021. His father is from Senegal, while his mother is from Finland.
His football career began with local club Fortuna Düsseldorf. He then joined major German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. In 2015, he joined the Schalke 04 academy.
Thiaw made his senior debut for Schalke in March 2020 and quickly became a regular.
In August 2022, he moved to AC Milan, where he has made 83 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal.
At international level, the 6-foot-4 defender has represented Germany three times, all of which came in 2023.

When could Thiaw make his debut for Newcastle?

Newcastle kick off their Premier League campaign on Saturday 16 August at Aston Villa.

A Modern Defender with Exceptional Stature and Speed

Thiaw will be Newcastle's mainstay in the competition. Standing at 1.94 meters tall, he is clearly a reliable weapon in the back line.
In addition to his dominant physical presence, he is also strong in aerial duels and body-checking. This will be a nightmare for opposing attackers.
Furthermore, he also possesses surprising running speed for his size. This speed allows Thiaw to match the abilities of deadly attackers, especially in the Premier League.
Thiaw's combination of strengths is clearly a crucial combination for a football player, especially a defender.***