The Newcastle fans in the Transfer Tavern are delighted to see the news this morning that they’ve completed the permanent signing of Martin Dubravka from Sparta Prague after the shot-stopper spent the second-half of the season at St James Park. The goalkeeping position was one that needed addressing by Rafa Benitez, with neither Rob Elliot or Karl Darlow able to step up to the task. You can read the details of the transfer on the Newcastle website.
IT’S DONE!
We’re delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Martin Dúbravka from @ACSparta_EN!
Full story: https://t.co/jK4kv1l5Ix #NUFC pic.twitter.com/viwceGbbu1
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) 30 May 2018
Next season promises to be an exciting one for the Magpies. The club enjoyed an incredible campaign last season, finishing 10th in their first season back in the Premier League after winning promotion as champions from the Championship in the 2016/17 campaign. The next step for Dubravka and co is to kick on and try and challenge the likes of Everton, Leicester and Burnley for a top-eight finish and try to sneak a European spot.
Martin Dubravka fills just one position that the Geordies need to strengthen, with a clinical striker, a right-back and a winger all being prioritised by Benitez. The club lost Kenedy when his loan spell ended and with Javier Manquillo departing the right-hand side of defence and midfield could do with bolstering. Meanwhile, the club’s top goalscorer last season was Ayoze Perez, who only netted eight times, so a striker who can bag on a consistent basis needs to be a top priority.
You can read our local Geordies’ verdict on the Dubravka deal here:
In a short time he did a lot of saves. He is the GK that Newcastle needed time before
— Gabriel Recalde (@recaldehgabriel) May 30, 2018
Excellent signing for me he’s the Slovakian Allison in my eyes he’s a leader & we’ve not had this since Shay at 4m it’s a bargain #NUFC
— John Sinclair (YT)⚫️⚪️ (@john_nufc42) May 30, 2018
Top signing! Now re-sign Rafa! PLEASE!
— Evgeny Kolobrodov (@Jason_Mag) 30 May 2018
Get in now we need a proven goalscorer
— haroon (@harrygov1) May 30, 2018
Said maybe!!! Your gonna be the one that saves me! And after allll, it’s Dúbravka’s Ball! #toon
— Liam Hall (@Liam14Hall) 31 May 2018
https://twitter.com/warsashmagpie/status/1001944892619272192
