Fernandez-Pardo joins Newcastle as Woltemade closes in on Juve switch

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo has become Newcastle United’s eighth addition of the summer transfer after completing his move to St James’ Park from Lille on deadline day. 

Nick Woltemade, meanwhile, is heading for the exit door.

Fernandez-Pardo has put pen to paper on a long-term contract for a reported £51m (€59.4m) to take Newcastle’s summer spending to £275m.

The 21-year-old was left out of Lille’s squad for their 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain and was ordered to train away from the first-team squad until his future was resolved. 

Since joining the Ligue 1 side from Gent in 2024, Fernandez-Pardo made 71 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 12 goals and providing 12 assists. 

Among players aged 21 and under across Europe’s top five leagues, the Belgium international ranked fifth for touches in the opposition box (184) and shots on target (30), while his 13 goal involvements (eight goals, five assists) were the seventh-highest. 

Fernandez-Pardo can operate across the entire front line, but he is predominantly a centre forward, and he is relishing the chance of representing Newcastle. 

“I spoke to the head coach, and he really showed how much he wanted me to be here,” Fernandez-Pardo told Newcastle’s club website. 

“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 an ambitious team that wants to attack, get forward, chase teams and go after them, and that’s something I want to take part in as well.”

We are delighted to announce the signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old Belgium international forward joins on a long-term contract and becomes the club’s eight first team arrival of a transformative summer transfer window. pic.twitter.com/SvGU6jPCwz

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) September 1, 2026

Fernandez-Pardo has been a long-term target from Newcastle, and his arrival fits the age range the club have been targeting during the summer. 

Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen are the other players to join the Magpies aged 21 or under in this transfer window, while Nico Gonzalez, Amar Dedic and Lukas Hornicek have also made the move to Newcastle. 

“Matias is a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game,” Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle said of his latest signing. 

“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.”

Fernandez-Pardo’s arrival has opened the door for Woltemade to join Juve, with the German international set to sign a season-long loan deal with the Serie A giants.

Woltemade has arrived in Turin ahead of completing a move, just one year on after joining Newcastle from Stuttgart in a deal worth up to £69m (€80.5m).

During the 2025-26 campaign, Woltemade scored 11 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions but fell out of favour under Eddie Howe. 

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