Premier League side Newcastle United officially announced the signing of defender Malick Thiaw on a permanent deal from Milan on Tuesday night following a three-year stint in San Siro.Reports from

The 6ft 4in Germany international is strong in the air but has a top speed that allows him to operate in Newcastle's preferred high line. He is also tactically flexible and can be deployed as a right-sided or left-sided centre-back, while he operated in the middle of a back three in 2022-23.

The signing of the Germany defender ends Eddie Howe's long pursuit of a centre-back and is a major boost in a difficult summer