When a club breaks its transfer record to sign a player, there is always a huge amount of excitement and expectation.
For Newcastle United, that player is Nick Woltemade. Since his arrival from VfB Stuttgart in the final days of the transfer window, the German striker has quickly become one of the most talked-about figures not just on Tyneside, but across the entire Premier League.
His dream debut, where he scored the winning goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers, instantly made him a fan favorite and has everyone eager to see more.
What makes Woltemade so fascinating is his unique profile. In an era where forwards are often categorized as either powerful target men or agile technicians, he appears to be a rare blend of both.
Standing at an imposing 6’6″, he possesses the physical stature to dominate defenders in the air, but his time in the Bundesliga also earned him a reputation for having excellent technical skill and clever movement with the ball at his feet.
This combination has already inspired fans to affectionately nickname him ‘Woltemessi’.
In a recent interview, the striker opened up about his first few weeks at the club, his new manager, and his ambitions for the future.
When asked which players he tries to model his game after, he gave a thoughtful answer that reflects his unique style.
He acknowledged that there are very few players of his height in the league who aren’t central defenders, and he pointed to a mix of qualities from different stars: the clinical finishing of Harry Kane, the intelligent movement and link-up play of Kai Havertz, and the sheer iconic presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
It’s a lofty comparison, but it shows the confidence he has in his own ability to offer something different.
A major factor in his decision to join Newcastle was the opportunity to work under manager Eddie Howe.
Woltemade spoke glowingly about his first interactions with the boss, noting how Howe immediately made him feel welcome by joking about his height, calling him “Big Man” during their initial video call. More importantly, Woltemade expressed a clear belief that Howe is the right manager to help him reach the next level in his career. He acknowledged that it will require “hard work,” but he is excited about the prospect of them working together as a “really good match.”
The process of settling into a new locker room can be daunting for any player, but Woltemade seems to be taking it all in stride.
He has already completed his initiation a speech in front of the entire team and staff and is waiting to see if he will also be asked to sing a song, a common rite of passage for new signings.
His new teammates have already made him feel like part of the family, which is crucial for building chemistry on the pitch.
The conversation also turned to the players he admires. When asked about the best teammate he’s ever played with, he didn’t hesitate to name Florian Wirtz, the brilliant Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder, praising his smooth and creative playing style.
For his all-time favorite Premier League player, he chose Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, citing his powerful shooting, full intensity, and leadership qualities he clearly respects and hopes to embody.
Looking ahead to the challenges of the Premier League, Woltemade knows the physical battles will be intense.
He identified Virgil van Dijk and Ruben Dias as the two toughest defenders he expects to face, acknowledging the high level of competition.
He already recognizes that the English game demands more sprints, more intense duels, and a requirement to be at 100% focus at all times.
Instead of being daunted, he sees this as a “nice challenge” that he is eager to embrace.
Finally, he is already getting to know the local culture and the passionate Geordie fans. He shared that a member of the staff recently called him a “canny guy,” and he is learning the local phrases like “Howay the lads.”
For a player who has come from other football-obsessed cities, he understands what the game means to the people of Newcastle.
It’s clear that Nick Woltemade is not just here to play football; he is here to become part of the community and write his own chapter in the club’s history.
