Newcastle United have completed the signing of Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.
Fernandez-Pardo has signed a five-year contract with the Magpies, who struck a deal worth €60million (£51m) plus add-ons with the Ligue 1 club for the 21-year-old.
He becomes Newcastle’s eighth signing of a transfer window that has seen the squad undergo a major revamp.
Newcastle will hope his arrival will serve as a major boost to Newcastle’s forward line, with Fernandez-Pardo able to play on both wings, as a number 10 and as a central striker.
His signing comes as Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade, their club-record signing of last summer, is set to join Juventus on a season-long loan.
Fernandez-Pardo joined Lille from Gent in 2024. He scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in two seasons with Les Dogues, helping them to a third-placed finish in Ligue 1 last term.
His performances earned him a place in Belgium’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, where he made three appearances as a substitute in the group stage as the Red Devils reached the quarter-finals.
Newcastle boss key to Fernandez-Pardo signing
Newcastle have made an excellent start to the new season, despite losing three key players in the form of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon and seeing Eddie Howe’s celebrated tenure as manager come to an end in late July.
Matthias Jaissle was appointed as Howe’s successor and is unbeaten in his first three games in charge.
Newcastle drew 2-2 in their opening Premier League game with Liverpool and were only denied all three points by a last-gasp penalty for the Reds. They subsequently beat West Brom in the EFL Cup before a 2-0 league win at Tottenham last Saturday in which several new signings impressed as Tonali struggled to make an impact for new club Spurs.
Jaissle has already received significant plaudits for his influence not just on the new recruits, but also on Newcastle players who endured difficult 2025-26 campaigns, with Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa — goalscorers against Tottenham — looking rejuvenated under his management.
And Fernandez-Pardo credited Jaissle as being key to his decision to join Newcastle.
“I’m really, really happy to be here and very proud to be at such a big club,” Fernandez-Pardo told Newcastle’s official website.
“I spoke to the head coach and he really showed how much he wanted me to be here. In terms of my own career progression, it made complete sense to come so I didn’t hesitate at all.
“I know the club, I know about the stadium, I know it’s a fantastic atmosphere. I’ve followed the team. What I’ve seen is a team that’s very ambitious, wants to attack, get forward, really chase teams and go after them, and that’s really something I want to take part in as well.
“I’m still young, I’m still hungry, and that’s why I’m here, and I want to make that progress with Newcastle. I can’t wait to start the wonderful adventure here.”
Jaissle said: “I am very happy to welcome Matias to our club. We were all delighted when we knew we could complete this deal.
“Matias is a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game. He can score and assist, he has courage, and he has the ability to take players on. We’re sure our supporters will enjoy watching him play.
“He has already shown in Lille that he can perform on the big stage, and we will work closely with him to keep developing his game further. We are excited to see him in a Newcastle United shirt.”
Newcastle land ‘top target’
The sales of Guimaraes, Tonali and Gordon have enabled Newcastle to rebuild their squad, with the club investing heavily in young players with significant potential.
All eight of their signings are aged 24 or under, with Fernandez-Pardo joining goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, right-back Amar Dedic, winger Bazoumana Toure and midfielders Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba and Nico Gonzalez in making the move to St. James’ Park.
But in Fernandez-Pardo, they have landed a player whom sporting director Ross Wilson claims was the top target right at the start of the summer.
“Matias is a really important signing for us,” Wilson said.
“As I said last week, we waited patiently on Nico Gonzalez, and this time we’ve done the same – only longer.
“Matias is a strong example of how a transfer window can unfold with twists and turns along the way. Back in May, he was our top target and we always remained engaged with him.
“Now, at the end of the window, he becomes our eighth addition to a refreshed Newcastle United, and we are excited to welcome him.”
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