Newcastle United Sign Lukas Hornicek for €30.6m from Braga

Newcastle United have made a major move for their future between the posts, sealing the signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from SC Braga in a deal worth €30.578 million.

The 20-year-old Czech international has signed a five-year contract running until June 2031, underlining the club’s belief that he can grow into a long-term pillar of the side. He was unveiled on Tyneside this morning, stepping into St. James’ Park as the latest piece in Newcastle’s evolving project.

“The last few days have been an emotional rollercoaster from when I first heard about the move and now I'm so happy to be here. It's a brilliant opportunity in a new league, which I'm very excited about,” he said on arrival, still riding the adrenaline of a life-changing switch.

The welcome, he admitted, hit him straight away.

“From the very first moment I arrived here, I received a fantastic welcome and really felt the warmth of the club. Everyone has been brilliant in helping me settle in.

“I know Newcastle is a huge football city, with 52,000 fans at St. James' Park creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing the team every game. I can't wait to play in front of them.”

Those 52,000 voices are a world away from where his journey started. Hornicek joined SC Braga from FK Pardubice’s youth ranks ahead of the 2019/20 season, a teenager leaving home to chase a career in one of Portugal’s most respected development environments. He climbed through several academy levels at the Minho club before finally breaking into the first team in the 2021/22 campaign.

Once in, he stayed in. Hornicek went on to make 88 appearances for Braga, establishing himself as a key figure and one of the most highly regarded young goalkeepers in the league. His form there turned heads across Europe; Newcastle have moved decisively to bring him to the Premier League.

Now comes the real test: a new league, a new country, a new kind of pressure, and a fanbase that demands ambition to match its noise. Hornicek has his contract, his platform, and his chance.

St. James’ Park will decide the rest.