Sports18 August, 20262 min read
Newcastle Sign Benfica Defender Amar Dedic on Five-Year Deal Worth €35.9 Million
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Newcastle sign Bosnia and Herzegovina right-back Amar Dedic from Benfica on a five-year deal. Transfer fee around £30 million (€35 million) with a medical completed on Monday.
Dedic joins Newcastle
Newcastle United signed Bosnia and Herzegovina full back Amar Dedic from Benfica on a five-year contract, with the Premier League club saying the deal was completed on Tuesday after a medical on Monday. Benfica said the transfer for the 24-year-old was worth 35.9 million euros ($41.55 million) and included a sell-on clause, while Newcastle’s move was described by the BBC as a £30m deal. Dedic reunites with Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle, who previously worked with him at Red Bull Salzburg where the pair won the Austrian Bundesliga title in 2023.
“Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me.”
The BBC said Dedic could quickly be called upon to feature in Newcastle’s season opener at home to Liverpool on Sunday, as Tino Livramento is still recovering from a calf injury sustained on England duty in June. Dedic said after the move was announced on Tuesday, his 24th birthday: "Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me."
Debut and squad needs
The BBC said Newcastle had been in the market for a new right-back following the departure of veteran Kieran Trippier, who joined Wolves on a free transfer when his contract expired earlier this summer.
Newcastle’s defensive reshuffle is tied to Jaissle’s plans, with the BBC quoting the manager saying Dedic "will bring both defensive and attacking qualities to our squad".
The Guardian reported that the chance to be reunited with Jaissle convinced Dedic to swap Benfica for Newcastle in a £29.5m transfer, and said he is likely to start at right-back at home to Liverpool on Sunday.
The Guardian also noted that with Tino Livramento still recovering from a calf injury, Jaissle advised club executives that Dedic could fill the void, and that a defender comfortable at left-back understands the German’s playing philosophy.
Dedic’s own comments to the BBC framed the move as a personal and footballing fit, as he said: "We know each other well. He knows what I can bring on the pitch."
Money, timing, and next steps
Multiple outlets placed the transfer fee in different ranges, with Benfica valuing the deal at 35.9 million euros ($41.55 million) and the BBC describing it as about £30m. The BBC said Dedic joined Newcastle on a five-year deal after having a medical on Tyneside on Monday, and it highlighted that he reunited with Jaissle after they won the Austrian title at Red Bull Salzburg in 2023. A News | Other said Dedic previously worked with Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg, where the pair won the Austrian Bundesliga title in 2023, and it added that Dedic represented Bosnia at this year’s World Cup.
“Playing Premier League football at St James' Park is going to be really special.”
The BBC also said Dedic could be called upon for Newcastle’s season opener at home to Liverpool on Sunday, while Newcastle begin the league season at home to Liverpool on August 23, according to A News | Other. In his statement after the move was announced, Dedic said: "Playing Premier League football at St James' Park is going to be really special."