Newcastle sign full-back Amar Dedic from Benfica

Economy World


Newcastle United have completed the signing of full-back Amar Dedic from Benfica.

The Athletic reported last week that the north east club were working on a deal for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, who featured for his country at this summer’s World Cup.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal at St James’ Park which sees him reunited with Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle’s new head coach, whom he played for at both FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.

“I’m really happy to add Amar to our squad,” Jaissle said on Tuesday. “He’s a player who I know really well, having worked with him from a young age in Austria and followed his career since.

“He will bring both defensive and attacking qualities to our squad, which suits the style of football that we want to play. He’s athletic, aggressive and technically very good, but also has a lot of potential to develop further.

“Amar is still young but already has a lot of valuable experience — he’s played in the Champions League and the World Cup, as well as representing huge clubs in Austria, France and Portugal. I’m really looking forward to working with him again.”

Dedic is capable of playing on either side of defence and will help plug a gaping hole in a Newcastle squad without any senior right-backs currently available with Tino Livramento still recovering from the calf problem which ruled him out of England’s World Cup squad.

Lewis Miley, the midfielder who deputised at right-back for much of last season, is also working his way back to full fitness after a broken leg suffered in May.

Dedic becomes Newcastle’s sixth summer signing and only their second over the age of 20. Goalkeepers Ewen Jaouen and Lukas Hornicek, midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur, plus winger Bazoumana Toure have already joined.

A signing for a glaring need

Analysis from Newcastle United correspondent Chris Waugh

There is genuine excitement within Newcastle about Jaissle and what he can achieve on Tyneside in the medium-to-long run, but in the immediate term he desperately requires reinforcements.

Jaissle inherited a squad which Eddie Howe, his predecessor, felt was short of experience and quality in key areas. Nowhere is that more glaring than at full-back, with Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett having departed, yet wide defensive arrivals have yet to take place.

Dedic’s lack of exposure to Europe’s top-five leagues, despite a short loan spell at Marseille last year, is a concern, but his attacking mindset and his understanding of Jaissle’s demands mean he has a decent chance of settling in quickly.

The Austrian-born defender had a difficult evening at St James’ Park as a visiting player for Benfica in the Champions League last season, when Anthony Gordon repeatedly got in behind during a 3-0 Newcastle victory, but the hope is that he will develop further back under Jaissle’s tutelage.

Getting his signing over the line is a positive step for Newcastle, though further additions, especially in midfield, are also required.