Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan.

The 23-year-old has joined the Magpies on an initial five-year contract until the end of the 2027-28 season and departs Milan three years after his initial loan signing from Brescia.

Newcastle are reported to have paid €70m (£60.2m) for Tonali's services, making the midfielder the most expensive Italian player in history.

Tonali arrives at St James' Park as Newcastle's second signing of the summer window, following Gambian attacker Yankuba Minteh - who has been loaned out to Feyenoord - to the North East.

Milan are also understood to have inserted a 10% sell-on clause into Tonali's deal, as the 23-year-old provides invaluable European experience to Newcastle ahead of their return to the Champions League.

"First of all, I want to thank Newcastle United because they are giving me a huge opportunity for my career," Tonali told the official Newcastle United website.

"I want to repay the trust on the pitch, giving it my all, as I always have. I'm really excited about playing at St. James' Park, I can't wait to feel the warmth of the fans."

Magpies head coach Eddie Howe added: "I'm delighted to welcome Sandro to Newcastle United. He is an exceptional talent and has the mentality, physicality and technical attributes to be a great fit for us.

"At 23, Sandro already has important experience as a key player in one of Europe's top leagues and in the Champions League, as well as playing for his country.

"But he also has the opportunity and potential to grow and evolve with us, and I'm excited to add him to our squad as we approach the exciting season ahead."

A product of the Brescia youth academy, Tonali led his boyhood club to Serie A for the 2019-20 campaign and came up with seven assists from 35 games in his debut season in the top flight.

Milan fended off intense competition to sign Tonali on loan for the 2020-21 season, and the Italian played 37 times for the Rossoneri in his debut campaign before his stay was made permanent the following year.

Tonali contributed five goals and three assists from 36 matches during Milan's title-winning 2021-22 season, before posting another two goals and 10 assists from 48 games in all tournaments during another productive 2022-23 campaign.

The midfielder departs Milan having recorded seven goals and 13 assists in 130 games from a defensive midfield position, and he has won 14 caps for the senior Italy team while continuing to represent the Under-21s.

Tonali was called up to the Azzurrini's squad for the ongoing Under-21 European Championships, setting up two goals in three games as captain, but Italy failed to reach the knockout stages. body check tags ::