After weeks of speculation surrounding who will be the next striker at Newcastle United, we finally have our answer.

German international Nick Woltemade has now completed a club record signing from VFB Stuttgart, having enjoyed an exceptional breakout year that saw him become one of the most talked about players on the continent in 2025.

It’s a move that came out of almost nowhere earlier in the week, and has capped off what has been quietly an excellent window in terms of player recruitment.

In his first interview with the club, the big German is already feeling welcome at his new home, and is very confident heading into the upcoming Premier League and Champions League campaigns

On his excitement over Newcastle move

With serious reports over a move only coming through on Thursday evening, it’s been a truly whirlwind few days for Woltemade.

Having scored a vital equalising goal for Stuttgart in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday evening, he jetted into Newcastle on Thursday night, completed his medical and media duties shortly after, and has only been confirmed as our newest signing on Saturday morning – a frantic but exciting time for the 23-year-old.

“I’m really happy. I’m really happy. The last few days have also been a bit crazy for me, but yeah I took the decision and I’m really happy now to be here at an amazing club.”

“Everybody feels already like a family to be honest, yeah everyone welcomed me. It was so good and I’m happy to be here.”

“I’m excited for next week. I hope I can play next week, and yeah this stadium looks amazing. I just know it from the TV and already the atmosphere was crazy, so I’m really excited to see it next week. Really looking forward to play here and score goals and have good matches.”

On unique build and style of play

We’ve already been quite lucky to have Alexander Isak at Newcastle: a unique player capable of both great dribbling and goalscoring prowess like no other striker in the Premier League.

Woltemade is an ever more special player, physically imposing but with ball control and dribbling capability that you wouldn’t expect.

“I’m no typical 6’6” guy: I like to dribble, I like to have the ball at my feet, I like to communicate with my teammates and play football, and I like to be creative.”

“I guess it’s not so often that to have a guy at this height to play like this, and I guess it’s similar to small players, not like me. I think my technique and creativity is my most important, my best skill.”

On first impressions from the club and coach

We’ve seen it already from our earlier signings this summer that Newcastle is one of the most warm and welcoming to its new players.

The likes of Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey have all remarked on how impressed and appreciated they’ve felt by the club’s efforts to sign them, and Woltemade is no exception.

“Directly from the first contact, I felt really ‘familiar’ and it’s important to feel like the club want me and have a big plan with me.”

“When I talked to the coach, I already had a good feeling directly. It feels really good and I was like ‘Okay, I want to do it’ and yeah now I’m here.”

“I feel like this is the right place for me to get me to my best level in football on the pitch and to feel good also around the pitch.”

On a huge step in his young career

The 2024/25 season belonged to Nick Woltemade: winning the DFB Pokal with Stuttgart, recording 12 goals in the Bundesliga, and receiving a big call up from Julian Nagelsmann for the National Team, it’s been a busy few months for the striker.

And now he’s making the daunting move out of his native country for the first time, Woltemade has explained how he feels it was the right time to move once we came calling.

“First time out of Germany, it’s a big step in my life. I took the decision because I wanted to do this. I want to keep improving myself.”

“We have a really good team here. In the last two years you could see a really good coach and really good players. And to be in the Champions League two years now, it shows how the club want to work and where the club want to be. I want to help reach its aims.”

“I like tradition clubs: I played in Germany for two traditional clubs, and now I have my third one and I’m really happy about it and looking forward to it.”

On first thoughts and meeting with Eddie Howe

The gaffer has had a big hand in helping bring some new names to the club, and having the opportunity to work under Howe is something that clearly appeals to a lot of players both here and abroad.

Woltemade recounts his first experience meeting Howe, and how immediately he felt appreciated and ready to work under the boss.

“It felt like I’d known him a long time but it was the first meeting. It felt really really good.”

“We’re laughing, we’re talking not just about football and that’s important for me to feel good.

“And if I have a person like this where I feel good and where I can be myself, you can talk with your coach not just about football. It’s important and I felt really good.”

On drive to succeed and hopes for the season

As our new record signing, expectations will be high for Woltemade to perform in the black and white stripes.

With how messy the striker situation has got at St James’ Park over the last two months, thanks to Callum Wilson’s departure and Alexander Isak’s strike, it’s a welcome sight to see a clinical young player want to be here and succeed.

But in spite of these expectations, Woltemade feels comfortable with the pressure placed upon him, and is ready to make a name for himself at his new club.

“I got a lot of confidence last year: I won titles, I played for the National Team, I had a really good under-21 European Championship with my good teammates in Germany.”

“Obviously this gave me a lot of confidence: I know my qualities, of course I know it’s a different league, it’s a different country so I have to work for it again. I will work for it again to bring my best level and I think can help the club a lot.”

“I guess in football it’s always pressure to be honest . I guess pressure is everywhere, but I like the pressure.”

“I’m really happy that the club trusts me so much that they paid so much money. Yeah I’m really happy, this club gave me a good feeling.”

“Now I’m in England, now I’m in Newcastle, now I’m really happy to be at my new home.”

“I want to play Champions League football, I want to play at the highest level. Now I’m at the highest level, I’m excited to see how it goes for me.”