Newcastle sign Woltemade in club record £69m deal

Newcastle United have completed the club record signing of striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.

The 6ft 6in (1.98m) Germany international, 23, has joined Newcastle in a deal worth up to £69m, on a "long-term" contract.

This eclipses the £63m Newcastle paid to make Alexander Isak the most expensive player in the club's history three years ago.

Woltemade, who will wear the number 27, has not been registered in time to make his debut against Leeds United on Saturday.

But Woltemade will have a huge role to play moving forward, given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Isak - who remains determined to join Liverpool.

"I'm really happy to be at this amazing club," he said. "From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me.

"It's a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family. I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.

"I know the stadium from watching games on television - it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I'm really excited to play and start scoring goals here."

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe added: "We're delighted to get Nick's signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options.

"He's strong in a lot of areas - he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe's top leagues - but he's also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here."