JUST IN: Newcastle’s Newest Duo Already Making a Huge Impression Before Pre-Season Even Begins

Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen Already Putting in the Work Ahead of Newcastle United’s Pre-Season Return

Sean Steur wasted no time getting down to business after becoming Newcastle United’s third signing of the summer.

The highly rated 18-year-old midfielder completed a five-year move from Ajax on Thursday, with the Magpies beating several of Europe’s top clubs to secure the Dutch youth international’s signature.

The transfer came together quickly, even catching Steur by surprise after he featured in Ajax’s 3-1 pre-season defeat to Panathinaikos just six days earlier.

“Obviously the last few days have gone fast,” Steur said in his first interview with Newcastle’s media team.

“But we have spoken now for a few weeks, so for me it was more known than maybe for you guys. In the last few days there was a lot of progress and I am very happy to join.”

One advantage for Newcastle is that Steur has already been involved in Ajax’s pre-season preparations for more than two weeks, meaning he arrives on Tyneside with valuable fitness work already completed and ready to integrate into Eddie Howe’s squad.

The Magpies’ first-team players are due to report back for pre-season training on Monday, July 13, with the exception of those granted extended breaks following international commitments earlier this summer.

The return will mark Steur’s first opportunity to meet his new teammates, while fellow summer signing Ewen Jaouen is also set to officially link up with the senior squad.

The 20-year-old French goalkeeper joined Newcastle from Stade Reims last month and has already begun settling into life on Tyneside.

In behind-the-scenes footage released by the club during Steur’s first day at the training ground, Jaouen could be seen carrying out individual training sessions at Newcastle’s Benton training base.

Steur was shown around the club’s facilities by senior football executive Andy Howe and performance director James Bunce before being introduced to Jaouen.

Joking about the language barrier, Steur promised to learn French, prompting Bunce to reassure him that Jaouen’s English is “top.”

Bunce explained that Jaouen was already out on the training pitches before the pair shared a brief conversation, with the goalkeeper joking that Steur was already “ahead of the game.”

The interaction also highlighted Jaouen’s own determination to adapt quickly by familiarising himself with his new surroundings before the full squad returns for pre-season.

The France Under-21 international is expected to compete with Nick Pope, Mark Gillespie and Aidan Harris for a place in Newcastle’s goalkeeping group this season. However, the club continue to be linked with another goalkeeper, while Pope has attracted interest from elsewhere in the Premier League.