Joelinton: Newcastle break transfer record to sign Hoffenheim forward in reported £40million deal
Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Brazilian forward Joelinton from Hoffenheim.
The 22-year-old has agreed a six-year deal and moves to St James' Park for a club-record fee, reported to be £40million.
The Brazilian, capped at Under-17 level and who scored 11 goals in 35 appearances for Hoffenheim last season, becomes new Newcastle manager Steve Bruce's first signing.
Joelinton, who will wear the number nine shirt, will help offset the departures of Ayoze Perez and Joselu.
The Brazilian said on the Newcastle website: "I'm really happy to be here. I know it's a large investment that the club has made in me, and that comes with a huge responsibility.
"I'm highly motivated and hope to give back on the pitch."
Joelinton started his career in Brazil with Sport Recife, where he made a first-team debut aged 16.
Following a move to Germany during June 2015, the forward then spent two seasons on loan at Austrian side Rapid Vienna, where he scored 21 goals in 79 appearances.
Newcastle boss Bruce said: "The kid's got an exciting time ahead of him. He's a smashing young player and we are obviously delighted to get him.
"It's been going on for a little bit now, so to get him is great for everybody.
"He's got everything that a modern-day player wants. He's big, strong and athletic, and of course he's got age on his side too which is vitally important."
Bruce added: "I'm sure he will be a big, big favourite of the supporters.
"He's got an incredible work-rate about him, he's got a really good humility about him, and all the attributes a top striker needs."
Newcastle's most expensive players
- Joelinton (from Hoffenheim, £40million, 2019)
The 22-year-old has agreed a six-year deal at St James' Park after scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances for Hoffenheim last season and is new manager Steve Bruce's first signing. Joelinton has been capped at under-17 level by Brazil and has been in Germany since 2015, as well as making an impression on loan at Rapid Vienna.
- Miguel Almiron (from Atlanta United, £21million, 2019)
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder joined Rafael Benitez's side in January, but his introduction to the side was hampered by injury and the Paraguay international made just 10 appearances before the end of his first season. Almiron will hope to hit the ground running in his first full campaign at St James' Park.
- Michael Owen (Real Madrid, £16million, 2005)
Newcastle pulled off a coup to land the England striker despite interest from his former club Liverpool, whom he had left the previous year. Owen scored only 26 league goals for the club during an injury-plagued four-year spell.
- Alan Shearer (Blackburn, £15million, 1996)
Shearer was already a Premier League and international star when he fulfilled his boyhood dream by joining hometown Newcastle in a then club record deal. He went on to score a club record 206 goals in 405 appearances.
- Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven, £14.5million, 2016)
The Dutch midfielder made a positive impression in his only season at St James' Park, playing in all 38 Premier League games and scoring 11 goals before Liverpool snapped him up for £25million.
- Aleksandar Mitrovic (Anderlecht, £14million, 2015)
Newcastle landed the talented Serbia striker on a five-year deal but he impressed only in flashes and struggled to hold down a regular place before joining Fulham on loan in January 2018. That move was later made permanent.
- Florian Thauvin (Marseille, £13million, 2015)
The French winger came highly rated but he proved a big flop for Steve McClaren, with his brief spell at Newcastle best remembered for the games he arrived at wearing a tuxedo. Has flourished since returning to Marseille, initially on loan, after just six months on Tyneside.