Newcastle United have completed the transfer of Lukas Hornicek from SC Braga after the goalkeeper passed his medical in Spain.
The move was sanctioned by new boss Matthias Jaissle, who is with the squad in La Manga after his move from Al-Ahli went through. Hornicek was put to Newcastle last month, with the move coinciding with the exit of head coach Eddie Howe.
Pope's future in question
The arrival of the 6ft 6in goalkeeper leaves a serious question mark over Nick Pope's future, after he had been allocated the number one shirt at the start of pre-season. Hornicek will cost Newcastle £25.7 after his clause was activated, and the deal was pushed through after talks cranked up from Wednesday onwards.
Braga president Antonio Salvador had confirmed a Premier League club matched the valuation of the release clause but that Hornicek turned down the move last season. "We even had [a concrete approach for a transfer], but the player himself, Hornicek, refused," Salvador said. "There was an offer from England for him, for the Premier League, but the player felt he shouldn't go to that club and we are happy that he's staying here."
Back-up options
Pope's future will be sorted out in the coming weeks, but Newcastle could not offload him during the summer despite plenty of talk about Ipswich Town and Leeds. Both clubs have now filled their goalkeeping spots, and Hornicek's arrival leaves Pope and Ewen Jaouen as back-up options.
Jaouen started the 4-1 loss at Bristol City and had made a couple of key saves before being replaced by Pope for the second half.
