New Newcastle United Signing, Nick Woltemade, is seen in the stands during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on August 30, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)placeholder image
New Newcastle United Signing, Nick Woltemade, is seen in the stands during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on August 30, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United agreed a fee for Nick Woltemade without many people knowing.
The 6ft 6in German completed his £69million club-record transfer from Stuttgart on Saturday morning and hours later took to the stands at Elland Road to watch the Magpies’ goalless draw against Leeds United.
The loss of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak’s refusal to play in an attempt to force through a move to Liverpool has seen United begin the new Premier League campaign without an experienced striker and by doing so have failed to win any of opening three matches.
Anthony Gordon started as the emergency striker for the opening day draw away to Aston Villa and Monday night’s defeat to Liverpool, however was suspended against Leeds after being shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Virgil van Dijk.
Howe handed a first Premier League start for Will Osula, 13 months after joining from Sheffield United, but alongside his teammates drew a blank in West Yorkshire.
Eddie Howe: Nick Woltemade can be a “difference-maker” for Newcastle United
There is now a two-week international break before Newcastle return to action at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 13. And going forward, Howe believes Woltemade can be a “difference-maker”.
Speaking about the arrival of Woltemade, Howe said: “Yeah, it was absolutely massive for us to sign a striker. I thought we had to. But I'm really pleased to get one with the quality that he possesses.
“I think he's not just a big presence, and he will be that in the box for us, but he's got unbelievable technical ability. He's got creativity as well. Everything that we were probably lacking today, I think he can bring.
“There will be a period where he has to adapt to the Premier League. It's always very difficult for anyone to come straight into the league. So, I've got really high hopes for him. Obviously, I don't want to add to the pressure that he's going to be under, but I think he can be a difference-maker.”
Eddie Howe sends Nick Woltemade warning
But Howe stressed that Woltemade needs time to adapt to the Premier League following his switch from the Bundesliga.
The 23-year-old scored 17 goals in 33 appearances last season, and shone at this summer’s under-21s European Championships, where he collected the top goalscorer award.
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Is there more to come? “Yes, and that's what I said, I think there will be a period of adjustment,” Howe responded. “So, I think we all have to be very understanding of that. It's very difficult for players to come in, I say mid-season, the season's just started, but he hasn't had a pre-season with us. I'd love every player to experience that, because I think your learning and your experience in the Premier League is just a lot quicker.
“But I think he's got qualities that translate across anyway. He's very good technically, as I said, he's very good around the box. He scores goals. So, I think that will translate to the leagues.”
Newcastle United complete ‘secret’ Nick Woltemade transfer
The signing of Woltemade caught many off guard, including Bayern Munich, who have spent most of the summer trying to agree a fee with Stuttgart. But after failing to do that, the Magpies quietly swooped, with Howe revealing his delight at keeping the move out of the media until it was agreed.
News of the transfer broke whilst the Champions League draw was ongoing. A few hours later, Woltemade landed on Tyneside to finalise the deal.
Howe said: “Yes, I think there was all those emotions through the transfer, although it seems quick to you guys, it's never quick to us, it's slow and it's laboured, because you're in the hands of other people. But, thankfully for us, it stayed away from the media and we were able to keep it quiet.”
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