Newcastle United has officially secured the signing of Bosnia and Herzegovina international Amar Dedic from Benfica for a reported fee of £29.5 million. The 24-year-old full-back has signed a five-year contract and is expected to make his debut in the upcoming Premier League match against Liverpool.

Details of the Transfer

Amar Dedic becomes the sixth senior player to join Newcastle this summer, taking the No 37 shirt at St James' Park. Dedic is known for his versatility, being able to play effectively on either flank. His previous experience includes working with Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle at both Red Bull Salzburg and Liefering, which played a significant role in his decision to join the club.

Coaching Insights

"Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me," Dedic stated, expressing his enthusiasm about reuniting with Jaissle. The coach highlighted Dedic's potential, noting that he possesses "both defensive and attacking qualities." Jaissle described him as "athletic, aggressive and technically very good," while also emphasizing that he has considerable room for further development.

Impact on the Squad

Newcastle's sporting director, Ross Wilson, praised Dedic as a "modern full-back" who will enhance the squad immediately. Dedic's prior experience includes 95 appearances for Salzburg, along with loan spells at Wolfsberger AC and Marseille. He joined Benfica permanently last summer and has also represented Bosnia and Herzegovina 31 times, including participation in the World Cup.

With his arrival, Newcastle aims to bolster their defensive lineup as they prepare for the new season, starting with a challenging match against Liverpool.