The German defender is set to join Newcastle United in a £35m move from AC Milan
Malick Thiaw of Germany
Malick Thiaw in action for Germany(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United-bound Malick Thiaw took Germany football by surprise when he broke into the national side two years - with Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger left hugely impressed by the defender.
Thiaw is expected to become Newcastle's third major signing of the summer transfer window after the Magpies agreed at £35m deal with AC Milan over the weekend.
The 24-year-old headed to Tyneside last night for his medical, with the formalities set to be completed in the coming days. He will join Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale as new recruits in Eddie Howe's squad, with the United head coach hopeful of more arrivals before the September 1 deadline.
Thiaw has established himself as part of Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad after impressing in Serie A with Milan, but it was Hansi Flick who handed him his debut for Die Mannschaft back in 2023.
Aged just 21, Thiaw had been in several squads before he made his debut against Poland. It may have ended in a 1-0 defeat, but the defender stood out, with experienced Madrid star Rudiger one of those impressed.
“He surprised me.," the former Chelsea man said. "He started on the right foot and showed great personality. He played a really really good game.”
Flick, too, felt the youngster was one of the bright spots in defeat, adding: “If you want to single someone out from the team, it’s Malick Thiaw, who played very solidly and maturely. He was one of the highlights of tonight’s game.”
Thiaw has had to overcome injuries to win his place back in the German squad, with Nagelsmann now in charge. However, he brought him back into the fold last year and feels he is one who can improve even further.
Malick Thiaw (back row, fourth from left) lines up for Germany
Malick Thiaw (back row, fourth from left) lines up for Germany against Colombia in 2023
“We are focusing on all German players. Malick has been with the national team before but has been out for quite some time recently,” he said ahead of the international break last November,
“I think both he and Bisseck are great players who still need to improve on some things."
Certainly Eddie Howe will be hoping he can continue to develop at Newcastle, where he will challenge Fabian Schar for a spot on the right-hand side of the central defensive partnership.
United will now have Thiaw, Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn to compete for a first-team place, with Jamaal Lascelles also back in contention.
Emil Krafth can play in the centre of a back four, with youngster Alex Murphy also an option, should he stay on Tyneside this summer rather than leave on another loan deal.