Newcastle United have completed the signing of a new right-back following an extensive summer search, bringing in Amar Dedic from Benfica in a deal worth £29.5 million that was confirmed earlier this week.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has committed to a five-year contract at St James’ Park and will rejoin forces with Matthias Jaissle, under whom he achieved considerable success during their time together at RB Salzburg.
Dedic’s path to the Premier League has been far from conventional.
Born to Bosnian parents who had settled in Austria, he grew up in the alpine town of Zell Am See, where his family worked in the hospitality sector.
Those who have observed his development throughout his career consistently highlight the dedication and hard work that have underpinned his progression to the top level of European football.
The 24-year-old will vie for the right-back position with Tino Livramento and inherits significant responsibility following Kieran Trippier’s departure, having been identified as the solution to Newcastle’s shortage of senior options in that defensive role this summer.
Chronicle Live has traced his trajectory through RB Salzburg, Wolfsberger AC, Marseille and Benfica to assess whether he represents the appropriate acquisition for the club.
His temporary spell at Wolfsberger AC proved to be the catalyst for his breakthrough.
Having progressed through the youth ranks at Salzburg, where he impressed at each level, the move to Wolfsberger represented a natural next step in his development.
He made 37 appearances across all competitions and established himself as a regular starter as the club finished fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga and reached the last four of the domestic cup competition.
Despite joining as a young player, he quickly earned the respect of senior figures in the Wolfsberger squad and became a valued presence in the dressing room at the Lavanttal-Arena.
His performances attracted widespread attention within Austrian football.
Michael Liendl, who played alongside Dedic at Wolfsberger AC, offered an assessment of the defender’s qualities.
He noted that Dedic brings considerable dynamism to his play, demonstrates comfort using both feet and possesses impressive dribbling skills.
Liendl highlighted his willingness to prioritise the collective and his consistently positive approach.
From the earliest training sessions, it was evident that Dedic possessed both substantial talent and an excellent mindset, combined with a strong desire to learn and improve.
As a colleague, he proved easy to work alongside, maintaining a composed and straightforward demeanour.
Following his productive loan spell, Dedic returned to Salzburg where he immediately earned Jaissle’s confidence during the manager’s second season at the club.
He rapidly became an integral member of the side, culminating the campaign with his first senior trophy when Salzburg claimed the Austrian Bundesliga title, while also gaining exposure to Champions League and Europa League football.
Jaissle eventually departed to take charge of Al-Ahli, yet Dedic continued to develop under subsequent managers including Gerhard Struber, Oner Cinel and former Liverpool and Manchester City assistant Pep Lijnders.
The latter included Dedic in his five-man leadership group at the Red Bull Arena, indicating the regard in which he was held.
Michael Unverdorben, deputy head of the sports department at Salzburg Nachrichten, explained that Dedic was born in Salzburg to Bosnian parents who were employed in the service industry in Zell am See.
He recognised from an early stage that substantial effort would be required to achieve success at the highest level.
His pace and ability to operate in forward positions, particularly as a winger, enabled him to create numerous scoring opportunities for Salzburg.
Following Lijnders’ exit in December 2024, Dedic began exploring alternative options.
He spent the remainder of the season on loan at Marseille but elected against making that arrangement permanent, instead completing a transfer to Benfica where he spent a campaign working under Jose Mourinho.
His influence at Benfica was felt immediately, and he rapidly became an important component of the squad under the experienced Portuguese manager.
The Estadio da Luz was where Dedic first encountered Newcastle United directly, featuring in a Champions League fixture against the Magpies that ended in a 3-0 defeat.
His athletic approach to the game had already won admirers in the Portuguese capital.
Alfredo Fumacas from the Benfica Podcast provided a detailed assessment of Dedic’s attributes.
He described him as a contemporary, highly athletic full-back with strong technical ability, primarily operating on the right side but capable of adapting to either flank thanks to his tactical awareness and positional flexibility.
Fumacas noted that Dedic excels when supporting attacks, leveraging his high energy levels to make overlapping runs, stretching opposition defences and delivering dangerous crosses into the penalty area.
He is best suited to systems permitting him to utilise the full width of the pitch, frequently advancing into the final third to combine with central midfielders and creative players.
Defensively, he demonstrates initiative, discipline and effectiveness in ground challenges, though refinement of his blindside coverage remains an area for potential development.
Newcastle supporters can anticipate an energetic, intelligent modern full-back with strong technical qualities when progressing forward, though some defensive refinement remains necessary.
His solitary season in Lisbon produced a Portuguese Super Cup triumph, an unbeaten domestic league campaign and a memorable Champions League victory against Real Madrid that secured qualification for the knockout phase.
He had already made three appearances during the current campaign, with the Portuguese league season underway and Benfica participating in Europa League qualifying rounds.
Benfica’s new manager Marco Silva had incorporated Dedic into his planning for the season and was displeased to sanction his departure.
However, the financial package and a negotiated sell-on clause compelled the Portuguese club to accept the offer, despite their reluctance to part with a player they had signed only the previous season.
Fumacas observed that the reaction in Lisbon combined disappointment with resignation from a sporting standpoint.
Benfica had invested significantly in retaining the Bosnian international, as he represented one of the few successful acquisitions from the previous transfer window.
The club would have preferred him to remain central to their project.
Ultimately, with a favourable financial arrangement secured and the player expressing his clear preference for a move to St James’ Park, largely motivated by his wish to reunite with his former coach, the club reluctantly agreed while ensuring they retained a percentage of any future transfer fee.
Dedic’s prior working relationship with Jaissle should facilitate his adaptation to English football.
Having spent two weeks in his role as Newcastle head coach, Jaissle gains a player intimately familiar with his requirements and expectations.
Unverdorben noted that Dedic had earned popularity through his performances and that Jaissle understands precisely what qualities are required for success, prioritising players willing to put in significant effort.
That ethos has characterised Dedic throughout his career, dating back to his initial loan spell at Wolfsberger.
Liendl suggested that even at that early stage, it was apparent Dedic possessed the attributes necessary for a highly successful career.
Fumacas expressed strong confidence in Dedic’s prospects in the Premier League, citing his impressive record encompassing high-level Champions League involvement with both Salzburg and Benfica, alongside his international commitments for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Crucially, his existing relationship with his former manager provides an immediate tactical advantage, assisting his adjustment to the pace and physical demands of English football.
His combination of endurance, tactical flexibility and technical competence indicates a smooth transition to top-flight English football.
Dedic could make his first appearance for the club on Sunday when Liverpool visit St James’ Park.