Kieran Trippier has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract extension with the option of another year; Newcastle and Atletico Madrid agreed a deal on Tuesday after smooth and positive talks; the England international becomes Newcastle’s first signing under the new Saudi owners.
Newcastle have completed the signing of right-back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for a fee of £12 million plus add-ons.
The England right-back has agreed to terms on a two-and-a-half-year contract extension.
Trippier arrived in Tyneside on a private jet on Wednesday, following the conclusion of smooth and positive talks between the two clubs on Tuesday.
Newcastle will pay £12 million plus add-ons to bring in the 31-year-old as the club’s first signing under the ownership of Saudi Arabia.
Newcastle is awaiting word on Trippier’s availability for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round match against Cambridge United.
Atletico hoped Trippier would stay, but the former Tottenham Hotspur defender stated his desire to return to England.
While in charge of Burnley, Eddie Howe worked with Trippier, signing him from Manchester City in January 2012 after an impressive loan spell at Turf Moor.
I’m overjoyed to be joining Newcastle. Everyone knows how passionate the fans are, and I will give my all for them. I can’t wait to get started.
“I really enjoyed my time in Madrid, but when I heard about Newcastle United’s interest, and having previously worked with Eddie Howe, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” Trippier said.
Newcastle’s owners hope to sign at least three new players this month in order to keep the club in the Premier League.
They have increased their bid for Lille defender Sven Botman.
Botman, who is valued at more than £25 million (€30 million) and has three years left on his contract, is Newcastle’s primary center-back target.
Todd Cantwell of Norwich City is another target, but he faces competition from an unnamed Premier League club.
After 19 league games this season, they are second-bottom of the table and two points from safety.
“I am delighted to welcome Kieran to Newcastle United,” Howe added. I’ve long admired his abilities and followed his career, so when the opportunity to hire him arose, we jumped at it.
“A lot of hard work went into planning for the January transfer window long before the month started, which is evident in how quickly we were able to complete this move.”
What Does Kieran Trippier Bring to the Team?
Newcastle set an unfavorable record in 2021, conceding the most goals in a calendar year by a Premier League team. They have conceded 42 goals in their first 19 Premier League games this season, which is the most in the league. Only eight teams have ever conceded more goals at that stage.
Newcastle has dropped more points from winning positions than any other team this season as a result of their leakiness.
Add to that the fact that Newcastle has allowed more shots on goal than any other Premier League team this season, and the picture is clear: this is a defense in desperate need of reinforcements in January.
Eddie Howe, who has yet to see a significant improvement in that department since taking over from Steve Bruce, has turned to a familiar face for assistance.
When both were at Burnley ten years ago, Howe coached Trippier for two seasons in the Championship. Trippier has since gone on to become one of Europe’s top right-backs, reaching the Champions League final with Tottenham before winning La Liga with Atletico Madrid last season, where Diego Simeone’s coaching has improved his defensive abilities.
Trippier’s dependability and creativity from crosses and set-pieces have also made him a favorite of England manager Gareth Southgate, who relied on him at crucial moments during the team’s run to the Euro 2020 final last summer before handing him the captain’s armband for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra in October.
Trippier will bring experience, leadership, and quality to the backline. Newcastle will need to strengthen in other areas as well, but this is a transfer that boosts their chances of Premier League survival.
