Sean Steur: Newcastle sign midfielder from Ajax for £23m on five-year deal after Sandro Tonali’s exit | Football news

Newcastle have signed midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax for around £23m.

The 18-year-old has joined Newcastle on a five-year deal worth £20m plus £3m in bonuses.

Steur is the club’s third signing of the summer, following £42m signing Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim and £18m goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims after the departures of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon for a combined £169m, with midfielder Bruno Guimaraes looking to join Arsenal.

Who is Sean Steur?

Steur began his career with RKAV Volendam before joining Ajax’s academy in 2016 and made his senior debut in the 2024/25 campaign before enjoying a successful season last season, netting 25 times in all competitions.

He played three times in the Champions League, where he became the club’s youngest player to provide an assist in the tournament.

Steur was awarded the Abdelhak Nouri Trophy, Ajax’s annual award for the school’s most outstanding talent, following the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Christian Eriksen, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart.

He also progressed through the Netherlands teams from U15 to U19.

Sky Sports News he understands that Ajax and Steur disagreed about his role in the team next season. Steur believes he should play a more important role than the team has been able to convince him of.

It is believed that the disagreement led to the teenager being included in the U21 squad.

‘It’s really hard to say no to Newcastle’

Steur said: “It’s an amazing feeling to be here. It’s a big club in the Premier League and it’s always been my dream to play in the best league in the world, so this is really exciting.

“I was at home at Ajax – I joined at the age of seven and I leave with only good memories, but when a club like Newcastle comes to you, it is very difficult to refuse. The last few days have gone by quickly and I am very happy to join.

“I’m a player who likes to get on the ball and play forward all the time. I’m happy playing between the lines and I feel a lot of energy in my game. I just want to win.”

Howe: High hopes for youth

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “We are delighted to welcome Sean to Newcastle United – he is a fantastic young player who has tasted the Champions League and Dutch football at the highest level.

“We see real potential in Sean and we believe he has the qualities to be a key player for us for years to come. That is something we are very excited about and look forward to working with him and helping him achieve his ambitions.

“Sean is an exciting player for our team. He has developed very well at Ajax, who have a great record of producing young players.”

Newcastle in advanced talks on Manzambi

The latest from Keith Downie’s Sky Sports News:

Newcastle are in advanced discussions Freiburg to the midfielder Johan Manzambi and a deal is close, but there is still work to be done to agree on payment.

The German club are aware of the Swiss international, who has scored three goals and provided two assists at the World Cup, for £51m (€60m).

The 20-year-old also needs to decide where to go, with other clubs interested in his services. .

Sky Sports News released the news that Newcastle are interested in Manzambi two weeks ago.