Nick Woltemade was reportedly on the target list for a few clubs this summer, including Bayern Munich. Yet, he has picked Newcastle United as his new home. The German gave a few sporting reasons for his decision, highlighting Eddie Howe as a "really good coach" as a significant factor.
‘I want to play Champions League’
In the North-East, he has found a place in England that is similar to what he has enjoyed at home.
Woltemade will have to wait two weeks to make his home debut against Wolves. He looks forward to playing at **St. James' Park**and embracing the admiration of the Geordie faithful for the first time.
“I'm excited for next week. I hope I can play and it looks amazing. I just know it from TV and already the atmosphere was crazy. I'm really excited to see it looking forward to playing here, to score goals.”
The spirit is even stronger for the Magpies now that they have a top team to shout about. In the last four years, they have twice travelled to Wembley Stadium for Carabao Cup finals, winning the second this year against Liverpool, and have also finished no lower than seventh spot since 2022.
From his home country, he has followed the journey of the Toon into a European contender. They have qualified for the **Champions League**in two of the last three seasons, aligning with his aims.
“I have known in Germany about the Premier League and I watched also some games. You can see in the last two years how the team has developed, the way the team goes. This was important for me.”
The German has not played in Europe's elite competition before, but he is buzzing at the opportunity.
*“This was also a point for me. I want to play Champions League. I want to play on the highest level. Now I'm on the highest level and I'm excited to see how it goes. I think it could be really special.”*
‘I like traditional clubs’
Woltemade is also attracted to the sporting culture: the bond between fans and players is a big part of German football. He experienced a particular connection playing at Werder Bremen and Stuttgart.
“It shows how the club want to work and where the club want to be and I want to help that we can reach its aims also and I like traditional clubs. I played in Germany and two traditional clubs and now I have my third one and I'm really happy about it and looking forward to it.”
**Eddie Howe**has a stellar track record with strikers. He picked up where he left off with Callum Wilson on Tyneside, and Alexander Isak has been a raving success in the last two seasons. Hugo Ekitike, a long-term target, is illustrating why he was on the radar with his work for Liverpool.
The forward felt the history of successful strikers at the club convinced him he could thrive too.
“I saw a lot of good strikers, good attackers here. We have a really good team. In the last two years you could see a really good coach and players who will be in Champions League in two years now.”
It will not be a lone effort. Howe has always stressed the strength of the group, expecting everyone to pitch in. Woltemade does not know any of the squad, but he looks forward to the bonding process.
“I don't know the players. I know them from football and I met them in the training ground and they've been really good to me and felt this is a good spot for me and I'm really happy and looking forward to playing with them and train and work with them and reaching all our aims together.”