Amar Dedic joined Newcastle United from Benfica earlier this week for £29.5 million, ending the club's search for a new right-back. The Bosnian international has signed a five-year deal at St James' Park and is reunited with Matthias Jaissle, with whom he shared success at RB Salzburg.
Dedic, the son of Bosnian immigrants, grew up in the Austrian alpine resort town of Zell Am See. Those who have worked with him throughout his career highlight his rise built on hard work and dedication. He will compete with Tino Livramento at right-back this season, replacing club legend Kieran Trippier in the squad.
Wolfsberger Loan That Kickstarted His Career
Dedic rose through RB Salzburg's youth ranks before moving on loan to Wolfsberger AC. The 24-year-old made 37 appearances in all competitions, helping the side finish fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga and reach the semi-finals of the Austrian Cup.
"Amar is a player who brings a lot of dynamism, is comfortable with both feet and has very good dribbling ability," Michael Liendl, Dedic's team-mate at Wolfsberger AC, told Chronicle Live. "He always puts himself at the service of the team and is a very positive person. When he came to Wolfsberger AC, it was clear from the very first training session that he was a very talented player with a great mentality."
Salzburg Rise and Jaissle Reunion
After his loan spell, Dedic returned to Salzburg and earned the trust of Jaissle, who was entering his second season in charge. He quickly became a mainstay in the side, ending the season with the Austrian Bundesliga title and gaining experience in both the Champions League and Europa League.
"Dedic was born in Salzburg; he is the son of Bosnian immigrants who worked in the hospitality industry in Zell am See," Michael Unverdorben, deputy head of the sports department at the Salzburg Nachrichten, told Chronicle Live. "I would also describe Amar as a hard worker. He always knew that he had to put in a lot of effort to succeed."
Jaissle later departed to manage Al-Ahli, but Dedic continued under Gerhard Struber, Oner Cinel, and Pep Lijnders. Lijnders named Dedic as part of his five-man leadership group at the Red Bull Arena. When Lijnders departed in December 2024, Dedic began looking towards pastures new, leading to a loan spell at Marseille and then a move to Benfica.
Year at Benfica and Premier League Prospects
At Benfica, Dedic played under Jose Mourinho and made an immediate impact. His season at Estadio da Luz yielded a trophy win in the Portuguese Super Cup, an unbeaten league season, and a dramatic Champions League win over Real Madrid. He featured three times this term before his move to Newcastle.
"Dedic is a modern, highly athletic, and technically proficient full-back who operates primarily on the right but possesses the tactical intelligence and positional versatility to slot seamlessly onto either flank," Alfredo Fumacas of the Benfica Podcast told Chronicle Live. "He thrives on supporting the attack, using his high work rate to overlap, create width, and deliver dangerous balls into the box."
New Benfica boss Marco Silva had planned for the season ahead with Dedic in mind but reluctantly accepted the deal. "The reaction in Lisbon has been a mix of reluctance and disappointment from a sporting perspective," Fumacas added. "Benfica were heavily invested in keeping the Bosnian international since he only arrived last season."
Dedic's familiarity with Jaissle should inspire Premier League success. "Dedic was popular because fans respected his performances," Unverdorben added. "Jaissle knows exactly what types of players he needs for success. They are primarily workhorses."
Dedic is in line to make his Newcastle United debut on Sunday when Liverpool visit St James' Park.
