Newcastle United enter the 2026/27 Premier League campaign amidst a total structural and tactical reset.
Following a turbulent 12th-place finish and the shock departure of Eddie Howe, the club has embarked on a youth-centric rebuild under progressive new manager Matthias Jaissle.
Stripped of their biggest star players to comply with evolving financial regulations, the Magpies face a transitional season focused on stability, defensive cohesion, and integrating a wave of elite young talent.
The squad looks vastly different after a summer window defined by massive departures and highly targeted, expensive teenage and U-24 acquisitions.
The club cashed in heavily on core superstars to generate over £230m in player sales. Sandro Tonali was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £92.5m, Bruno Guimarães joined Arsenal for £75m, while Anthony Gordon departed for FC Barcelona for £68m. Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett were also released on free transfers, joining Wolves and Hull City respectively.
Tuesday’s official club statement began: “Newcastle United are delighted to announce the signing of Bosnian international full-back Amar Dedić from Portuguese giants SL Benfica.
The 24-year-old, who will wear shirt number 37, has penned a five-year deal to become the sixth senior addition of the summer at St. James’ Park.”
As usual, no transfer fee made public by Newcastle United.
However, ahead of the official announcement it was widely reported that a £29.5m deal had been agreed.
The official Newcastle United statement adding: ‘Amar has previous experience working with Magpies head coach Matthias Jaissle, playing under his stewardship in Austria during the early stages of his career with both FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg.’
Amar Dedic declaring after signing for United: “It’s a special feeling and a really big honour for me to join Newcastle United. I’m really happy to be here and can’t wait to start playing for the club and the amazing fans. Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me. We know each other well, he knows what I can bring on the pitch and I’m really happy to be playing for him again. Playing Premier League football at St. James’ Park is going to be really special. Every game feels like a big occasion, with an amazing atmosphere. I’m really excited to get started.”
With Tino Livramento still recovering from injury, it is expected that the new signing will go straight into the team that plays Liverpool on Sunday.
The official Newcastle United release also adding the following: ‘Born in Zelle am See, Austria, Amar’s early footballing years were spent with LUV Graz and Sturm Graz. He made the switch to Red Bull Salzburg’s youth academy in 2015 and went on to sign professional terms there four years later.
He spent time with their feeder squad Liefering, where he first played under Matthias Jaissle, and also enjoyed a loan stint with Wolfsberger AC, before returning to Salzburg to earn his first-team debut and go on to make 95 appearances in all competitions for the club.
Amar had a loan spell with French giants Marseille during the 2024/25 campaign, making 10 appearances in Ligue 1, before joining Benfica on a permanent basis last summer.
He featured for the Portuguese side at St. James’ Park in last October’s UEFA Champions League clash. The 23-year-old has 31 Bosnia caps to his name, three of which were collected at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.’