Liverpool and Chelsea had been linked with the Dutch defender
08:49, 14 Jan 2026Updated 09:53, 14 Jan 2026
Sven Botman poses for photographs after signing a new contract (Image: )
Sven Botman has admitted that his decision to sign a new contract at Newcastle United despite interest from other clubs was because he felt he owed the club after they supported him during his injury lay-off.
The Dutch defender, who had 18 months left on his old deal, put pen to paper on new terms that keeps him at St James’ Park until 2030.
Botman, who joined the Magpies in 2022 from Lille for £35million, had a stellar first season with the club as he helped them reach the Carabao Cup final and qualify for the Champions League.
However, he was rocked by a serious knee injury which ended up needing an operation to fix his ACL, ruling the centre-half out for 10 months.
The 26-year-old went through a gruelling rehab process, only to then suffer more agony with another knee injury meaning he missed the cup final last season which saw the Magpies end their 56-year wait for a trophy.
Nonetheless, United were desperate to retain the services of the Dutchman, recognising the undoubted ability of the big defender. Botman, for his worth, was keen to repay that ‘trust’ by committing his future to Newcastle despite interest from the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.
He said: “I’m really happy here. The club has given me so much. I’m growing as a person and a player and I feel like I’ve got so much more to give and that’s why for the long term both parties are really happy with this decision and really looking forward to what’s coming up.
“My first season was more than I was thinking of and after that I had a bit of a difficult time with my knee injury. That’s also why I feel I have something still to give to this club and definitely want achieve more than what we have done.
“I know we won the cup but this club has so much more potential and I want to be part of that.
“Obviously it was a really difficult time [the injury]. It is part of football but the club and people around it definitely helped me a lot getting through the difficult times, making sure you are getting yourself ready for what’s coming because I was actually still young with so much more years to come.
“So trying to be positive every time about coming back on the pitch and in the end there comes a time where things turn around and are positive again.
“Now I’m fit and helping the team and the club, this is a big thanks from the club, and for me for I really appreciate the trust.
“I feel like I’ve got so much more growth in me and so much more potential. I feel like this club and environment is perfect for me to grow into. I’m excited about what is coming and what we can achieve as a club and a team.”
Botman’s return to the team has been perfectly timed after the injuries to fellow centre-halves Fabian Schar and Dan Burn in recent weeks, along with lay-offs for Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth.
Eddie Howe will now be hoping his injury problems are behind him and he can build up his strength and match sharpness during what is a hectic, gruelling few weeks ahead for the Magpies as they look to progress on several fronts.