Newcastle secure €28.5m deal for goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen

Newcastle have reached an agreement with Stade de Reims to sign goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen in a deal worth €28.5 million. The 20-year-old has reportedly signed a four-year contract and will join the club during the summer transfer window.

This transfer represents a significant success for Newcastle’s recruitment department, given the intense competition for the France youth international. Jaouen had previously visited Chelsea’s training facilities, while Real Madrid had identified him as a potential long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois.

The move comes as Newcastle look to bolster their goalkeeping department for the future. First-choice shot-stopper Nick Pope celebrated his 34th birthday in April, and the club is keen to introduce a younger alternative to develop under his tutelage. The Tyneside club recently decided against making Aaron Ramsdale's loan move permanent, creating a vacancy that Jaouen is expected to fill.

Jaouen's profile grew during the 2024-25 campaign while on loan at USL Dunkerque, where he played a pivotal role in their run to the Coupe de France semi-finals and a strong push for promotion. Even after returning to parent club Reims, his individual performances stood out despite the team's relegation.

Jaouen is expected to begin pre-season preparations with Newcastle, where he will face the challenge of adapting to Premier League football while learning from Pope’s experience.