Lukas Hornicek is in the news on two fronts today. On Saturday 3 October 2026, the Newcastle United goalkeeper was named in Czechia’s starting line-up for their Nations League opener against Croatia. Hours earlier, fresh details emerged about the fee Newcastle paid to sign him.
That gives supporters two updates on the same day. There is confirmation of his place in the Czechia side, and there is the clearest public figure yet for his summer transfer from Braga.
His Czechia starting role
Hornicek has been handed another senior international opportunity. He is named in Czechia’s starting XI against Croatia. It continues his rapid rise since arriving on Tyneside.
The game kicks off at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Saturday night. Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm BST. It is Czechia’s opening match of this season’s Nations League.
Summer move to St James’ Park
Saturday’s start continues an impressive few months for the 24-year-old. He moved to St James’ Park over the summer and has kept his place in the Czechia squad ever since.
His international recognition shows no sign of slowing. That holds even as he settles into life at a new club in a different country.
The fee from Braga
Hornicek’s international start falls on the same day as fresh details about his move from Braga to Tyneside.
Braga president Antonio Salvador revealed that Newcastle paid €30.57million to sign Hornicek. That is slightly above the goalkeeper’s €30million release clause. It is the clearest confirmation yet of the transfer’s final cost.
The figure fits a recruitment pattern Newcastle have followed closely since their change of ownership. That subject is set out in detail in the transfer plan piece.
What the Czechia start and fee mean
Lukas Hornicek is in Czechia’s starting line-up against Croatia. The fresh transfer detail revealed on the same day is the €30.57million fee Newcastle paid to sign him from Braga.
Together, the two stories point to a player whose profile keeps growing. He remains a regular pick for his country. The cost of bringing him to Newcastle is now a matter of public record, not estimate.
There is no confirmation of where Hornicek currently stands in Newcastle’s goalkeeping plans. This update makes no claim either way.
What happens next
Hornicek’s immediate focus is Saturday night’s Nations League opener in Prague. Full detail on his summer switch, including the background to the move, can be found in our original Hornicek update.
Back on Tyneside, Newcastle’s own schedule has kept moving. The club’s 2-1 win over Hull City is covered in our Hull win report and the Hull team news. The Carabao Cup last-16 draw against Everton is confirmed in the Everton draw.
No further figures or club comment on the Braga fee have been confirmed beyond Salvador’s remarks. Any further detail will be added once it is verified.
