Nick Woltemade has opened up on an incredible first six months on Tyneside
07:00, 13 Feb 2026Updated 08:35, 13 Feb 2026
Nick Woltemade has nine goals for Newcastle United so far(Image: Richard Lee/Shutterstock)
It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade. Parachuted into the Premier League big-time with a club record £69m transfer late in the summer window, the German frontman took St James’ Park by storm in his first few months at the club.
The 23-year-old was relatively uknown when he swapped Stuttgart for Tyneside in August, but he quickly ensured he was the talk of the town with goals against Wolves, Arsenal and Brighton in his early weeks at the club.
While the goals have dried up somewhat in recent months, a return of nine and four assists remains impressive for his debut season in England so far, with Woltemade adjusting to life in the Premier League and Champions League, plus spearheading Germany’s attack as they qualified for the World Cup.
If that wasn’t enough for his admittedly broad shoulders, then replacing Alexander Isak in the Newcastle line-up was always going to be an uphill challenge.
There are very different players, of course, but with United so accustomed to playing to the Swede’s strengths, it has taken time for both player and his team-mates to become accustomed to each other’s games.
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Woltemade admitted he was was only half aware of the Isak furore before his move to Newcastle, but took it all in his stride with his trademark relaxed attitude.
“Of course, I knew that there was something going on about Isak,” Woltemade told British GQ.. “But honestly, in England people just care about English football and in Germany, it is the same.
“So I was not realising that the situation was so hard. But I felt it directly when I came. People were so happy that they got a new striker.
“I went to an away game (Leeds) as a spectator and the fans went crazy! They all ran into me and sang songs about me. Of course, I knew there was pressure because I came for a lot of money. But I liked it.”
It’s not all been plain sailing for Woltemade, and he admits his own goal in the 1-0 derby-day defeat to Sunderland was a particularly low point.
However, the reaction of the United fanbase was something which he didn’t expect.
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“It was a bad, bad feeling,” he added. “I had never scored an own goal before, especially in this game… when I was sitting on the bench, I was like, ‘Wow, maybe the fans will destroy me’. But when I came into the dressing room, I put up my phone and I just saw good messages.
“This helped me a lot, because of course I understand it was the most important game. I was so thankful. It showed me I’m in the right place.”
That was underlined when he came off the bench against Fulham in the Carabao Cup just days later to a rapturous reception.
“The whole crowd was singing my songs,. This is not normal. It just shows the personality of the fans. The own goal could have f***** up my season and derailed me. Instead it was the best feeling.”
Read the full interview online at British GQ here.