‘When a club like Newcastle comes for you, it’s really hard to say no’ – Newcastle sign Dutch midfielder | OneFootball

Newcastle United have announced the signing of Dutch midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax.

The 18-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the club, with the club in need of midfield reinforcements after Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham and Bruno Guimaraes linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.

“I was at home at Ajax,” he said. “I joined when I was seven and I leave with only good memories, but when a club like Newcastle comes for you, it’s really hard to say no. The last few days have gone fast and I’m very happy to join.

“I’m a player who likes to get on the ball and play forward all the time. I’m happy playing between the lines and I feel I have a lot of energy in my game. I just want to win.”

Eddie Howe was full of praise for the young Dutchman after his arrival.

“We’re delighted to welcome Sean to Newcastle United – he’s a top young prospect who has already tasted Champions League and top-flight Dutch football.

“We see real potential in Sean and believe he has the characteristics to become a valuable player for us for years to come. That’s something we’re really excited by and look forward to working with him and helping him achieve his ambitions.

“Sean is an exciting addition to our squad. He’s had an excellent upbringing at Ajax, which has an outstanding track record of producing young players.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to conclude this deal so swiftly and make Sean a Newcastle United player.

Sporting director Ross Wilson further sang the praises of the young star.

“We’ve been aware of his talent for some time but so has the rest of European football, so it was vital that we were able to act diligently and give ourselves the best chance of getting Sean on board. It’s a testament to the project we’re working on here that players like Sean are so keen to join.

“We‘re all really encouraged about working with Sean and I know how much Eddie enjoyed his first conversations with him – it left us all even more convinced of what Sean can bring to this group.

“Sean enters a fantastic environment for young players to develop and we’re incredibly excited about the progress we believe he can make here. It was great to welcome him and his family to Newcastle this week.”

Despite adding Steur to their midfield, Newcastle are not done in their pursuit of midfield reinforcements this summer. Reports from Sky Sports Germany suggest that Newcastle have agreed a €60 million deal to sign Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg in Germany.

The midfielder has looked impressive at the World Cup and could now be making his move to the Premier League alongside Steur.