Newcastle United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest.
Vlachodimos is Newcastle's second signing of the summer transfer window, further strengthening their defence after bringing in centre-back Lloyd Kelly from AFC Bournemouth.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe says 30-year-old Vlachodimos will provide welcome competition to the club's other goalkeepers, Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy, who also joined the Magpies on Monday, following the expiry of his contract at Birmingham City. Fellow 'keeper Loris Karius left the club this summer.
"Odysseas is very experienced at elite European and international level and he joins a strong group of senior goalkeepers," Howe told the club's official website. "That strength in depth is valuable and means we go into the new season with strong competition in a key area."
Odysseas said: "It's an honour for me to be part of this huge club, with excellent players and a great coach."
📱 A message from our new signing, Odysseas Vlachodimos!
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 30, 2024
⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/4x21PregJE
Newcastle have also announced two outgoings. Midfielder Elliot Anderson has moved to Forest on a permanent deal, while winger Yankuba Minteh has left for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Who is Vlachodimos?
Vlachodimos moved to the Premier League with Nott'm Forest last summer, but made only five top-flight appearances, losing four, keeping one clean sheet.
Prior to that he spent five years at Portuguese side Benfica, winning two league titles and two Super Cups.
He was also at Panathinaikos for two years, keeping 34 clean sheets in 63 appearances.
He started his career at German club Stuttgart, whom he joined aged seven.
Vlachodimos was born in Stuttgart and has represented Germany at various youth levels, winning the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. In 2018 he switched international allegiance to Greece and has since won 42 caps for them.
2024/25 preparations
Newcastle's first pre-season match ahead of 2024/25 is against Hull City on 27 July.
They open their Premier League campaign at home to Southampton on Saturday 17 August.
