Newcastle United have finalised the signing of French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims, with the 20-year-old completing his medical on Tyneside before putting pen to paper on a four-year contract worth an initial £18 million.
Jaouen's First Words as a Newcastle Player
The French youth international expressed his excitement after joining the Magpies. 'I'm really excited to become a Newcastle United player,' Jaouen said. 'When I visited the training ground, I could see how passionate everyone is about the club and the work they do, and I loved the environment straight away. I also had the chance to see the stadium and it's huge.'
He added: 'I've heard so much about the supporters and how they are the best in the country. The passion of the entire city and the atmosphere at St James' Park are famous throughout football, and I can't wait to experience that for myself and become a true Geordie.'
Jaouen described his playing style: 'As a goalkeeper, I enjoy one on one situations and playing as a modern keeper, building from the back and being comfortable with the ball at my feet. Now I want to develop alongside the amazing players and staff here, enjoy my football, and prove my value on the pitch.'
Manager and Sporting Director Comments
Manager Eddie Howe welcomed the signing, stating: 'Ewen is a great addition and I am delighted to welcome him to Newcastle United. He is an exciting young goalkeeper who has shown real promise during his time in France. He has a calmness and presence that belies his age, and he's someone we feel can grow and improve within our environment.'
Sporting director Ross Wilson added: 'We are delighted to welcome Ewen to Newcastle United. This is a signing we have been working hard on for a number of months, and we are really pleased to get it over the line. Ewen is a hugely talented young goalkeeper who has gained a lot of admirers across European clubs, and he has an exciting future ahead of him.'
Wilson highlighted Jaouen's character: 'What stood out for us, in all of our discussions, was his ambition, his focus and his determination to be here. We can't wait to watch him develop and we know our supporters will give him a warm welcome.'
Club Statement and Career Background
A club statement confirmed: 'Newcastle United has completed the signing of highly-sought after goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims on a long-term contract. The much coveted 20-year-old made 34 Ligue 2 appearances last season, keeping 15 clean sheets, and has represented France at Under-21 level.'
Jaouen began his professional career with Guingamp before joining Reims in the summer of 2023. He spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Rodez, then moved to USL Dunkerque for the 2024/25 season, where he helped the team reach the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, eventually losing to Paris Saint-Germain.
The young shot-stopper is expected to compete for a first-team spot at Newcastle, adding depth to the goalkeeping department.
