Newcastle United entered the summer transfer window facing a clear shortage at right back.
Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth had both left the club, and Tino Livramento’s calf injury kept him out of pre-season, leaving Matthias Jaissle short of options at right back.
To resolve this shortage, Newcastle needed an immediate, proven option, and Benfica’s Amar Dedic arrived on a £29.5 million deal.
The 24-year-old signed a five-year contract at St James’ Park on his birthday, but the move goes beyond adding depth to Newcastle’s right-back position.
Dedic’s arrival is closely linked to the appointment of Matthias Jaissle, who previously coached the Bosnian international at FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg.
Newcastle United’s signing of Dedic gives Jaissle an aggressive full-back who already understands his demands and has the athleticism to contribute to the pressing and vertical attacking game the manager wants.
CHECK OUT: Enzo Fernandez joins Man City as Chelsea and Everton left furious by Monaco transfer chaos
Newcastle needed another senior right-back
Newcastle needed to strengthen their right-back position after losing two experienced players in the summer.
Kieran Trippier departed for Wolves on a free transfer, while Emil Krafth also left the club.
Tino Livramento’s injury left the Magpies even thinner at right-back.
Livramento suffered a calf injury with the England national team and missed Newcastle pre-season, with Jaissle later confirming he was not ready for the opening game against Liverpool.
Newcastle responded by signing Amar Dedic from Benfica, adding a right-back capable of stepping into the team immediately.
Dedic arrived with a wealth of experience in European and Champions League football.
He had 43 appearances for Benfica across six competitions in 2025/26, including 10 Champions League games and four qualifiers.
Newcastle solved an immediate squad problem while adding a right-back who can give them a different way to attack from the flank.
READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news: Robert Sanchez joins Como on loan
Dedic gives Newcastle more attacking threat from right back
Dedic is an attacking-minded full-back who looks to advance play rather than holding his position behind the ball.
His 2025/26 season numbers at Benfica included four assists, 0.23 expected assists (xA) per 90 and 1.18 key passes per 90, giving the Magpies an attacking outlet from right back.
He combines that with direct aggressive runs down the right flank.
Squawka recorded 24 chances created by Dedic in Liga Portugal, an average of 1.1 per 90, which ranked seventh among Benfica.
Dedic does more than provide width from right back. He actively looks to progress the ball into the final third.
His 3.12 dribbles and 1.61 successful take-ons per 90 show his ability to beat the opponent pressing him and carry the ball into the final third.
His ball-carrying ability can therefore move Newcastle up the pitch quickly when a direct route through the flank is available.
That matters against teams defending in a low block, where Dedic’s forward carries can force a defender to step out and create space elsewhere.
MORE BY JOSEPH KANGETHE: Jack Grealish returns to Everton as Iliman Ndiaye joins Manchester City on deadline day
Jaissle’s previous experience with Dedic is another advantage for Newcastle
Jaissle did not take a gamble on a player he barely knew.
Dedic had already worked under the German at FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg, giving the pair several years of shared experience before their reunion at Tyneside.
Newcastle’s official announcement confirmed that Dedic considered working with Jaissle again as a major factor in his decision to join the club.
Dedic joined RB Salzburg’s academy as a teenager and made 50 appearances for Salzburg’s feeder club FC Liefering before moving into the senior setup.
Jaissle handed Dedic his Champions League debut in September 2022 against AC Milan.
The Newcastle boss managed Dedic 52 times across their stints at Liefering and RB Salzburg.
That level of previous experience together offers Jaissle first-hand knowledge of Dedic’s strengths, physical level, technical ability, mentality and versatility.
For a manager rebuilding his squad, having a player whose qualities and character he already knows removes the uncertainty that comes with a new signing.
ALSO ON TNB: Julian Alvarez saga ends as forward decides to stay at Atletico Madrid
Dedic’s profile suits the demands of Jaissle’s Newcastle
Dedic has the athleticism and physical qualities that Jaissle demands from his full-backs.
At RB Salzburg, Jaissle regularly used a narrow 4-2-3-1 when the score was level, adapting his shape to the demands of the game.
There have been signs of Jaissle’s emerging system at St James’ Park, where his 4-2-3-1 formation puts more responsibility on full-backs to stretch the pitch.
This requires the team to move together when they lose the ball.
When Newcastle’s attackers move onto the central half-spaces, they can draw the opposition’s full-backs inside.
This movement creates space in the wide lane for Dedic to advance from deeper positions.
Rather than relying on a central midfielder to move wide and provide an outlet, Dedic can use his acceleration and ball-carrying ability to attack the flank himself.
This creates a three-man combination, with the winger attacking the box, the central midfielder providing cover underneath and Dedic using his pace to overlap into the space on the flank.
Jaissle’s teams press high, counter-press immediately after losing the ball and look to attack vertically when possession is regained.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Tottenham agree double deal for Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo
Dedic’s Newcastle start offers an early clue
Dedic’s first Newcastle appearances suggest the attacking qualities discussed above are already showing up on the pitch.
He debuted in the Premier League opener against Liverpool before completing a full 90-minute performance in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Against Spurs, Dedic pushed high enough to receive Nico González’s long ball before heading it down to provide an assist for Anthony Elanga.
He added two more assists in the Carabao Cup against West Bromwich Albion, setting up Harvey Barnes and Bazoumana Toure in Newcastle’s 3-2 win.
Those early goal contributions show that his ability to carry the ball and his advanced positioning inside the opposition’s half are already helping Newcastle create chances in the final third.
READ NEXT: Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international football at 39
