Lukas Hornicek has revealed Newcastle United promised him the No.1 role as part of the project that convinced him to move to St James’ Park.
The Czech Republic goalkeeper joined Newcastle from Braga during the summer and has quickly established himself as Matthias Jaissle’s first choice.
Hornicek has now explained that Newcastle actually entered the race for his signature later than several other interested clubs.
Their approach nevertheless made an immediate impression.
Lukas Hornicek reveals Newcastle transfer promise
Speaking in an extensive interview with Sport.cz about his move to Newcastle, Hornicek revealed that the Magpies were the last club to join the race.
Newcastle quickly outlined their plans for him and made clear that he was being recruited to become their first-choice goalkeeper.
“They promised me the number one role,” Hornicek said.
The 24-year-old added that Newcastle moved quickly in negotiations and had no issue meeting Braga’s demands, leaving him with little hesitation over the transfer.
Reports had previously linked Hornicek with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
However, he played down those suggestions in the same interview, explaining that he only became aware of much of that supposed interest through social media.
Newcastle’s proposal was different because it provided him with a clear pathway straight into Premier League football.
Newcastle gamble already producing results
That promise has been fulfilled immediately.
Hornicek has started every Premier League match so far and has already been forced into a significant workload behind Jaissle’s defence.
His 19 saves across the opening five league matches were the highest total recorded by any Premier League goalkeeper at that stage of the campaign.
Newcastle paid around €30million to secure him from Braga, but his early performances have helped justify the club’s decision to move away from other goalkeeping targets.
Hornicek’s arrival also fundamentally changed the hierarchy at St James’ Park.
Nick Pope was unable to secure a move away before the transfer deadline after being pushed out of the first-team picture, while summer signing Ewen Jaouen has been positioned as Hornicek’s understudy.
The Czech goalkeeper is now away on international duty after being included in his country’s latest Nations League squad.
His interview nevertheless provides fresh insight into one of Newcastle’s biggest summer decisions.
The club did not simply sign Hornicek to compete for the shirt. They recruited him with a clear promise that he would start, and the opening weeks of the season suggest both parties have so far got exactly what they wanted.
