NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Newcastle United FC and SL Benfica at St James’ Park on October 21, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
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Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw says he made a good decision when he signed from AC Milan in the summer.
Thiaw, 24, joined in a £35m ($46m) deal and has become a crucial member of head coach Eddie Howe’s team, impressing at the back alongside Sven Botman and, during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Manchester City at St James’ Park, Fabian Schar.
The Germany defender, who returned to his national team and earned his fifth cap this month after making his debut in 2023, does not regret leaving the Rossoneri and joining Newcastle.
“I followed Newcastle for two seasons (before they signed me),” Thiaw told reporters before Newcastle’s Champions League match with Marseille on Tuesday.
“It has always been a dream to play in the Premier League. I think I made the right choice to join the club.”
Although Thiaw has shone since coming into the team, the manner of his performance against City striker Erling Haaland made headlines at the weekend.
“I’m a really confident player but if you play against one of the best players, maybe the best striker right now, it can give you a little bit of extra motivation and confidence,” he added.
“Of course I will take that.”
Newcastle currently sits sixth in the Champions League table with automatic qualification for the last 16 in its hands after three successive wins over Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Club.
Howe is expecting a tough challenge against Marseille.
“We have travelled early; we will train at the stadium,” he said. “Tomorrow our preparation will be slightly different. The most important decision is how we play. The midfield battle will be key for us; we need to do well technically with the ball.
“This will be a really tough game for us, but we feel we can rise to the challenge.”
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United challenge during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James’ Park on November 22, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Malick Thiaw has been a revelation at Newcastle United
Malick Thiaw has almost made a mockery of Newcastle United’s initial transfer approach – predicated on new signings having Premier League experience – with the ease of his acclimatization to his new club and the Premier League.
He had been a target for Newcastle since last summer, but scepticism met his arrival because he had not been a regular for AC Milan. The Italian giants’ head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, was vocal in his displeasure at his exit.
That should have been a bit of a clue about the level of player Newcastle was signing.
Somebody of Thiaw’s ilk has been required for a long time – a tall, ball playing defender with recovery pace. Botman, Schar and Dan Burn are all excellent players, but the lack of pace was a particular issue.
There was always a chance he would make an instant impact because of these characteristics, but nobody could have expected such a high level of performance.
His calmness and ability to progress Newcastle up the pitch with his passing has been transformative, and there is so much more to come. The way he marshalled Haaland at the weekend was not a surprise to many Newcastle supporters.
Thiaw is undoubtedly the biggest success story of a troubled summer for Newcastle. There is so much more to come from him, but without doubt, just as he made the right choice in signing for the club, it made the right choice bringing him in.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/harrydecosemo/2025/11/24/i-made-the-right-choice-malick-thiaw-on-joining-newcastle-united/
