Woltemade, the giant signed by "an idiot" who has increased in value by 833% in a year!

Some, like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, thought it was crazy. "I congratulate Stuttgart for having found an idiot to pay so much money for Woltemade," said the Bayern Munich legend, with overwhelming Teutonic sincerity. The Bavarian club also bid for the striker in the summer market.Rummenigge's words were harsh to describe the arrival of the German attacker atNewcastle last summer. His signing, of course,did not leave anyone indifferent.

I congratulate Stuttgart for finding an idiot to pay so much money for Woltemade

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Nick Woltemade's story seems unbelievable. To say that he has increased his value by 833% in just one year, according to Transfermarkt, sounds like a fairy tale. However, it is very real. On December 20, 2024, he was playing for VfB Stuttgart, a team he had joined for free from Werder Bremen in the previous summer transfer window, and his valuation at the end of last year was 7.5 million euros. Now, just 12 months later, he has become the most expensive signing in Newcastle's history, with the club paying 85 million euros to secure his services. His valuation has risen on Transfermarkt to 70 million euros, an increase of 62.5 million euros compared to the previous year, which translates into that overwhelming 833%.

Woltemade's growth has been spectacular in recent months. He finished last season at Stuttgart with 17 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions and then took home the top scorer's trophy at the Under-21 European Championship, where he scored six goals. There he was already on his way to becoming a star. But before that, in the 2023-24 campaign, not everything was rosy: he had only celebrated two goals in the Bundesliga in 30 games with Werder Bremen, which, however, did not prevent Stuttgart from making his signing official in May 2024. It is true that he arrived on a free transfer. He signed until 2028, but his stay was to be brief.

He is a powerful yet skillful striker

Fabian Wohlgemuth

Fabian Wohlgemuth, VfB's sporting director, described him like this: "Nick showed his qualities last season and established himself in the Bundesliga. He is a powerful yet skilful striker, whose development we have followed very closely. We are convinced that Woltemade will continue his positive development with us and become a key part of our attack." He nailed it. That's exactly what happened...

I want to die with the signing of Woltemade

Klaus Filbry

... Because, after that, you know: a year atStuttgart, 17 goals, and a record transfer to Newcastle. A move that caused an earthquake in the market. "I want to die with the signing of Woltemade," lamented Klaus Filbry, Werder Bremen's CEO, in a round table discussion with MARCA in September this year. His words came after it was revealed how much had been paid for the striker's arrival in the Premier League... and that his club, Werder Bremen, had let him go for free the previous season.

"Congratulations to Stuttgart for signing a player for nothing and selling him a year later, after seven or eight months, for 85 or 90 million

Klaus Filbry

"Congratulations to Stuttgart for signing a player for nothing and selling him a year later, after seven or eight months, for 85 or 90 million. I'm happy for Nick. He's a great guy. At the same time, we get a percentage of the transfer as a solidarity fee," Filbry told Sky Sports Germany.

Premier League top scorers

A No. 9 who also distributes the game

At the end of August, on the 30th, his transfer to Newcastle was made official and a new chapter began for Woltemade. "Leaving Germany is a big step in my life, but everyone has made me feel so welcome that I already feel like family. After speaking to the coach, I have the feeling that this is the ideal place for me to reach my full potential," said the German upon his arrival in England.

Leaving Germany is a big step in my life, but everyone has welcomed me so well that I already feel like family

Woltemade

At the moment, he has scored nine goals, seven in the Premier League, one in the Champions League and another in the EFL Cup, and has provided two assists in 23 matchesin all competitions with Newcastle.

Woltemade is a very complete striker. "He is strong in many areas, he has great technical ability and has proven to be a real threat in one of the best leagues in Europe, but he is also still at an age where he has a lot of room to develop and grow here," saidEddie Howe, his coach at Newcastle United, when the German attacker arrived.

Woltemade's numbers in the Premier League

In addition to a powerful shot, he has the ability to get into space and the vision to combine with his teammates. It is precisely this ease of association that Howe now highlights: "Many times it is he who gives the pass for the wingers to receive the ball, so his participation almost always depends on his ability to give that center"

It's a pleasure to watch him play. Not only does he score goals, but he also knows how to play with his teammates, which makes him more valuable

Rudi Voller

Rudi Voller, sporting director of the German FA, is of the same opinion. He is also an admirer of Nick and enjoys him in the national team. "It's a pleasure to watch him play. Not only does he score goals, but he also knows how to link up, which makes him more valuable," he said last summer, when he was the top scorer at the European Under-21 Championship.

Given his performances in the Premier League, Voller goes even further."Now nobody talks about the 85 million euros that Newcastle paid for his transfer. In the end, it was practically a bargain [laughs]. His quality is really exceptional," Voller told Kicker a few days ago.

Now nobody talks about the 85 million euros that Newcastle paid for his transfer. In the end, it was practically a bargain [laughs]

His life in England... with his best friend

In addition to his performance on the pitch, Woltemade stands out for being a calm player in his personal life. At least that's what those who know him say. "Off the pitch he's very good. He doesn't seem to be unsettled. He's come to another country and hasn't caused any fuss," said Eddie Howe.

Off the field he is very good. He doesn't seem restless

It was very noticeable in England that Woltemade took his best friend to live with him. "I don't know why everyone talks about it. I think it's normal when you come to a new country," the striker told a press conference when asked about it. "I'm here alone, so I asked my best friend: 'Do you want to come with me to Newcastle?'", the player explained with total naturalness.

I'm here on my own, so I asked my best friend, 'Do you want to come with me to Newcastle?'

As Nick hardly gives anything to talk about in his personal life, the press wants to know and they have even asked him if he has already met a girl in England. "No, I have a lot of matches, so I haven't met anyone," replied the striker with a smile. What Woltemade has certainly found at Newcastle is the road to success on the pitch. That's why he is worth 833% more than last year.