Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe hails 'exceptional' new signing Sandro Tonali

Midfielder joins from AC Milan in deal reported to be worth £60m

Sandro Tonali has just captained Italy at the Under-21 European Championships. EPA

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has hailed Sandro Tonali as “an exceptional talent” after the midfielder completed his move from AC Milan.

The 23-year-old has joined on a five-year contract in a deal reported to be worth around £60 million – a record fee paid for an Italian player.

He becomes Newcastle's second signing of the summer – after Gambian teenage winger Yankuba Minteh, who joined from Danish club Odense but was immediately loaned out to Feyenoord – ahead of a season when the club return to Champions League football for the first time in 20 years.

Tonali joined boyhood club Milan from Brescia in 2020, initially on loan, before going on to make 130 appearances, helping the club win the title in 2022, their first scudetto in 11 years.

He scored twice in 34 Serie A games as Milan finished fourth last season and played in all 12 of the Rossoneri’s Champions League fixtures as they made it to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by arch-rivals Inter.

“First of all, I want to thank Newcastle United because they are giving me a huge opportunity for my career,” Tomali said in a statement.

“I want to repay the trust on the pitch, giving it my all, as I always have. I’m really excited about playing at St James Park, I can’t wait to feel the warmth of the fans.”

His arrival is huge boost to Howe, who guided the club to fourth place in the Premier League last season, their highest since finishing third in 2002/03 under Bobby Robson.

“I'm delighted to welcome Sandro to Newcastle United,” said Howe. “He is an exceptional talent and has the mentality, physicality and technical attributes to be a great fit for us.

“At 23, Sandro already has important experience as a key player in one of Europe's top leagues and in the Champions League, as well as playing for his country.

“But he also has the opportunity and potential to grow and evolve with us, and I'm excited to add him to our squad as we approach the exciting season ahead.”

Newcastle season ratings

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2022/23 SEASON RATINGS: GOALKEEPER: Nick Pope 9: Enjoyed a superb first season on Tyneside as Newcastle conceded the joint fewest goals in the top flight, along with champions Manchester City. An ever-present in the league, with only David de Gea at Manchester United keeping more clean sheets (17) than Pope's 14. His lone disappointment was missing the League Cup final after being sent-off against Liverpool. AP

DEFENDERS: Kieran Trippier 9: Captain Trippier is the heartbeat and driving force of Eddie Howe's side. Has bought into the project from the moment he signed from Atletico Madrid in January 2022, his dead-ball skills are a constant threat and his performances earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Year Award. PA

Sven Botman 9: The ice man at heart of the Newcastle defence, never gets flustered and the classiest centre-half the Magpies have seen since Jonathon Woodgate was in black and white 20 years ago. His form earned a first call-up into the Netherlands senior squad and has been nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Year Award. Joined last summer and has been one of the league's signings of the season. Reuters

Fabian Schar 9: Has formed a solid and reliable partnership with Botman in the centre of Newcastle's defence. Out of favour under previous manager Steve Bruce, the Swiss defender is one fo the first names on current manager Eddie Howe's team sheet. Getty

Jamaal Lascelles 6: Remains a key figure at the club despite very limited game time this season and is handed the captain's armband by Trippier whenever he has appeared as a substitute. Let no one down on the rare occasions he has been called on. Reuters

Matt Targett 6: Would have expected to be played far more regularly after completing a permanent move from Aston Villa last summer but left-back has been kept out of the team by the form of Dan Burn. Started just one game in 2023. PA

Dan Burn 8: The giant defender makes for an unlikely left-back but has made the position his own. A local boy playing for his hometown club and clearly living the dream this season. Scored crucial first goal in Newcastle's League Cup quarter-final win against Leicester. Can struggle against pace - given tough times by Manchester United's Antony and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen for example - but never let his head go down. PA

Javier Manquillo 6: Barely had look-in due the form of Newcastle's regular full-backs but the Spaniard is a useful squad player who play either side of defence. Mostly used as late substitute. Getty

MIDFIELDERS: Joelinton 9: Continues to be a revelation since moving back from striker to midfield and has become one of the most consistent performers in the top flight. For a player who was so abysmal in front of goal as a striker, the Brazilian powerhouse has even chipped in with eight goals across all competitions this season. Just earned first call-up for his country. Reuters

Anthony Gordon 6: The jury is still out on the January signing from Everton who has struggled to force his way into a team that was already flying high when he arrived. Manager Howe is convinced he will benefit from a full pre-season with the squad and is expecting big things from the winger, who scored his first goal for club at Chelsea in last game, next term. Getty

Ryan Fraser 2: A disastrous campaign for the little Scottish winger who played an important role in Newcastle staying up last season. Managed to achieve the seemingly impossible by upsetting Howe, which has meant Fraser trained with the youth team for most of this year and has little or no chance of forcing his way back into favour. EPA

Jacob Murphy 8: Another player who has blossomed under the coaching of Howe. Previously lacked confidence and composure when it came to final product - particularly in front of goal - but forced his way into Howe's starting line-up, contributing important goals and assists along the way. Getty

Matt Ritchie 6: Like Lascelles, Ritchie is a stalwart left over the from the previous regimes now limited to late appearances from the bench. Played nearly 200 games for the club and Howe has already stated he would like Ritchie to stay on next season. Getty

Miguel Almiron 9: Reached double figures for goals in the Premier League for the first time, including a hot streak in the first half of the campaign, scoring seven in as many games. The best of which - a volley against Fulham - will surely go close to winning Premier League's goal of the season award. Getty

Joe Willock 8: The midfielder started showing the sort of form that could see him winning England caps in future. A tireless runner and key component in the high-pressure game demanded by Howe. If he can rediscover the goals touch that him saw score in seven consecutive games for the Magpies in 2021, a three Lions call-up will be in the post. Getty

Elliot Anderson 6: Many thought the young Geordie midfielder would play a bigger role than he has after starring while on loan at Bristol Rovers last season. Had to settle for regular appearances off the bench and still awaits his first goal for the club. Getty

Sean Longstaff 9: Has emerged as one of Howe's most important players with his manager lamenting the Geordie midfielder's absence through injury for a few games late in the season. Relentless running and a dream player for manager and teammates alike, Longstaff has hit new heights this season and credited Howe for saving his Newcastle career. Getty

Bruno Guimaraes 9: The Brazilian has pulled the strings in midfield and his passing skills are second to none at the club. Struggled with an ankle problem for the last few weeks of the campaign and will welcome summer to recharge his batteries with a Champions League challenge ahead next season. A huge crowd favourite and no surprise to see reports that Real Madrid remain big fans. Getty

Callum Wilson 9: Finished with his highest top-flight goals tally of 18 from 30 league games, including 11 in his last 12 games. Started and ended the season on fire with his only lull in form and fitness coming on his return from World Cup duty with England in Qatar. Played his most games in a season for Newcastle (35 in all competitions) after two injury-hit campaigns. Reuters

Chris Wood 6: New Zealand striker chipped in with a couple of goals against Southampton and Leicester before being sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest in January. PA

MANAGER: Eddie Howe 9: Only defeat in the League Cup final against Machester United - which would have ended the club's 54-year wait for major silverware - prevents top marks. Team were superbly well-drilled defensively. Midfield had an imposing mix of power, pace and passing ability, while three of his attackers reached double figures in goals. Howe's stock continues to rise as his team look forward to Champions League football next season. PA

Tonali – who has 14 senior caps after making his debut as a substitute against Liechtenstein in October 2019 – captained Italy at the European Under-21s Championship in Georgia and Romania in recent weeks, where they failed to make out of the group stage.

New Magpies teammate Anthony Gordon, who has been playing in the same Euros tournament with England, described Tonali as “one of the top midfielders in the world”.

“I knew him from his early days at Brescia,” said Gordon, who joined Newcastle from Everton in January.

“I remember seeing some clips of him before he went to AC Milan. He has excelled and is one of the top midfielders in the world.

“It shows the direction we are going in. I’m really looking forward to playing with him.”

The Tonali deal takes Newcastle's spending over three transfer windows since the club was taken over by a Saudi Arabian-led consortium in October 2021, to more than £300 million.