Football Transfer Window : Newcastle signs Sven Botman for a record sum of £35m

In a statement, Newcastle said it had beat off competition "from a host of European sides to secure the highly-rated center-back," with the formalities of the transfer set to be concluded this week.

Botman's arrival adds to Newcastle's rebuilding for the new season, which began with the signing of England goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burnley last week.

The club's recruitment drive has intensified since sporting director Dan Ashworth took over, with full-back Matt Targett already completing a permanent move to Tyneside after a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.

Newcastle is expected to keep looking for attacking options and have been linked with Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.

The Dutchman has been Eddie Howe's top defensive transfer target this summer. In January, the club wanted to sign the defender, but negotiations with Lille proved difficult.

After the transfers of goalkeeper Nick Pope and left-back Matt Targett, Newcastle's third close-season signing, they have now defeated AC Milan.

According to a Newcastle statement, Botman, who underwent a medical on Tyneside, has agreed to a five-year contract.

How good is Sven Botman?

The 22-year-old defender joins Newcastle from Lille, where he spent two seasons.

In 2020-21, he won the Ligue 1 title with Lille, appearing 47 times in all competitions and 37 times in the league.

Before joining Lille, he progressed through Ajax's academy, playing for Jong Ajax and SC Heerenveen.

Botman has represented the Netherlands up to the U-21 level and was called up to the senior team in November but did not receive his first cap.

Sven Botman may be new to Newcastle, but he is not unfamiliar with the North East of England. He took the first step on his path to St James' Park three years ago next month in neighbouring Sunderland.

The 19-year-old defender had just agreed to a season-long loan from his boyhood club Ajax to Eredivisie rivals Heerenveen. His first assignment was a pre-season friendly at the Stadium of Light, just a few miles from where he will soon call home.

Botman was called up to the bench but didn't stay long. Ibrahim Dresevic, one of Heerenveen's starting centre-backs, sustained an injury in the first half, forcing him to come on earlier than expected.

It was his first chance to show his talent, and he left the field, having helped Heerenveen secure a clean sheet and a 1-0 victory.

Newcastle United are still in talks with Reims striker Hugo Ekitike but is willing to walk away if there is no progress.

Negotiations over specific terms have been complex, with one source revealing that Paris Saint-Germain and other clubs are interested in the France U21 International.