Newcastle Complete Signing Of Italy Midfielder Sandro Tonali From AC Milan

Sandro Tonali, a standout for AC Milan, has been acquired by Newcastle, who are preparing for their return to Champions League play.

The original contract for the 23-year-old Italian midfielder, who is said to have cost more than £50 million, would keep him at St. James’ Park through 2028.

A day after the Italians were eliminated from the competition, Tonali, who has 14 senior caps, was signed. Tonali recently captained his country in the European Under-21 Championship in Georgia and Romania.

The formerly-played for Brescia said: “First of all, I want to thank Newcastle United because they are giving me a huge opportunity for my career.

“I want to repay the trust on the pitch, giving it my all, as I always have. I’m really excited about playing at St James Park, I can’t wait to feel the warmth of the fans.”

Since leading the team to a top-four Premier League finish last season to end a two-decade exile from Europe’s most prestigious club competition, Tonali is the type of big addition Magpies head coach Eddie Howe has been pursuing.

Howe has made clear his desire to fill positions with quality rather than quantity this summer while abiding by the spending restrictions placed on a club that had spent more than £250 million in the club’s first three transfer windows under its new Saudi-backed owners.

He is aware of how difficult it will be to compete on both the domestic and European fronts the next season, and he knows that the demands of once again fighting against the continent’s top teams will make it even harder to repeat his impressive league campaign.

However, acquiring a player of Tonali’s caliber is a sign of Newcastle’s intended course, and the 45-year-old was thrilled to have gotten his man.

Howe said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sandro to Newcastle United. He is an exceptional talent and has the mentality, physicality, and technical attributes to be a great fit for us.

“At 23, Sandro already has important experience as a key player in one of Europe’s top leagues and in the Champions League, as well as playing for his country.

“But he also has the opportunity and potential to grow and evolve with us, and I’m excited to add him to our squad as we approach the exciting season ahead.”

began his professional career at Brescia, where he assisted the team in being promoted to Serie A. Tonali then went to Milan in the summer of 2020, initially on a season-long loan agreement.

Having featured in all 12 of the Rossoneri’s Champions League games during their run to the semi-finals last season, where they were defeated by archrivals Inter, he leaves the Italian top division with 130 appearances to his credit.