Newcastle United Strengthens Defence with Dedic Acquisition
Newcastle United has announced the signing of defender Amar Dedic from Benfica for approximately £30m. The deal marks the first acquisition under manager Matthias Jaissle, who previously worked with Dedic at Red Bull Salzburg where they won the Austrian title in 2023. Dedic has committed to a five-year contract with the club after completing his medical on Tyneside on Monday.
The announcement of Dedic’s transfer coincided with his 24th birthday on Tuesday. Expressing his enthusiasm, Dedic stated it was a significant honour to join Newcastle United and conveyed his eagerness to begin playing for the club and its supporters. He highlighted the opportunity to reunite with Jaissle as a major factor in his decision, noting their familiarity and understanding of each other’s contributions on the pitch.
Dedic is one of Newcastle’s six summer signings and is only the second player over the age of 20 to join the club this transfer window, alongside goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek. He has joined the club following the departure of veteran Kieran Trippier, who moved to Wolves on a free transfer after his contract expired earlier in the summer.
Immediate Impact Expected for Dedic
Dedic could potentially make his debut for Newcastle in their upcoming Premier League season opener at home against Liverpool on Sunday. This possibility arises as Tino Livramento is currently recovering from a calf injury sustained during international duty with England in June. Matthias Jaissle expressed his anticipation of working with Dedic again, citing their past collaboration from Dedic’s younger days in Austria and having followed his career progression.
Jaissle noted that Dedic possesses both defensive and attacking qualities that align with the team’s desired style of play. He described Dedic as athletic, aggressive, and technically proficient, with considerable potential for further development. Newcastle’s sporting director, Ross Wilson, has also commented on Dedic’s strong desire to prove himself at the club.
Despite this being Dedic’s first experience in the Premier League, his prior knowledge of Jaissle’s expectations for full-backs could facilitate a quicker integration into the squad. This familiarity might lead Jaissle to consider fielding him in the upcoming match against Liverpool, even with a limited number of training sessions with his new teammates. Dedic’s ability to cover at left-back is also considered a valuable asset for the team.
Dedic’s Performance and Club’s Transfer Activity
Last season, Dedic made 24 appearances in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. During this period, he ranked second among full-backs for carries into the attacking third, with 49. He also placed third for progressive carries, recording 202, and for total carries, with 325. These statistics highlight his capacity to contribute significantly to offensive play from a defensive position.
Dedic has previous experience playing at St James’ Park, having been part of the Benfica side that faced a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle in the Champions League last season. He will be aiming for a more positive outcome should he feature against Liverpool. Dedic also played for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup, where his team reached the last-32 before being eliminated by the United States.
Newcastle has been active in the transfer market, with Dedic being their sixth signing of the summer. The club is reportedly looking to rebuild its squad after the departure of several key players, including Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Gordon. The transfer window remains open until 1 September, indicating that further reinforcements may be sought by the club.
Dedic’s arrival is expected to bolster Newcastle’s defensive options and provide tactical flexibility for Jaissle. His signing comes as Newcastle prepares for its first Premier League fixture of the season against Liverpool on Sunday.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Ama Serwah
Yaw Appiah
Kwame Ofori
Evelyn Mensah