Newcastle United have begun their summer transfer market business with the Ewen Jaouen transfer from Ligue 2 side Stade de Reims for £18.5 million.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who stands at six feet six inches tall, has never played top-flight football, but Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe clearly sees the potential in the young Frenchman.
The Ewen Jaouen transfer comes following a phenomenal season for the goalkeeper for Stade de Reims in Ligue 2, as he kept 15 clean sheets, the most in the league during the 2025/26 campaign.
With the Paris-born goalkeeper set for a move away from his native France, can Jaouen prove his worth and fulfil his potential at Newcastle United and the Premier League.
Ewen Jaouen Transfer: The Start To A Promising Career
After experiencing several moves in his youth career, he finally found a permanent home at Guingamp, as he signed for their academy in 2018, aged only 12.
During the 2021/22 season, he progressed from the under-19 squad into the B team after impressing for the youth team by keeping five clean sheets from nine matches.
The following season, he was a permanent feature in the Guingamp B team, making 22 appearances, conceding 31 goals and only keeping three clean sheets.
His performances in the B team saw him feature in the Guingamp first team squad, as he was an unused substitute in two games during the 2022/23 Ligue 2 season.
The French youngster moved on from Guingamp at the end of that season, as in July 2023, Jaouen was on the move and signed for Stade de Reims B.
Playing with the under-19s and B team for the 2023/24 season, he got his first taste of Ligue 2 as he signed for Rodez on loan during the run-in.
Keeping three clean sheets from six matches, Rodez made the Ligue 2 Play-Offs for a chance to reach the French topflight; however, after a penalty shootout win in the first round, St Etienne secured a 2-0 win to gain promotion into Ligue 1.
Another loan followed with USL Dunkerque in Ligue 2, as he started the season in between the sticks, but midway through, was dropped down to the bench.
Dunkerque made the Ligue 2 Play-Offs, but Jaouen was on the losing end in the final once more, as FC Metz secured a 1-0 win to secure promotion into Ligue 1.
The Ewen Jaouen transfer caught the spotflight after his recent season, with the French under-21 international making his way into the Stade de Reims first team.
In 34 matches, he conceded 35 goals and kept 15 clean sheets, the most out of any goalkeeper in Ligue 2, as his side narrowly missed on the Play-Offs.
With such a fantastic season behind him, the Ewen Jaouen transfer to Newcastle United has put the French shot-stopper into the spotlight immediately.
The 20-year-old is likely to learn from the likes of Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie as he looks to fight with the Newcastle United number one for the starting spot on the team.
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The Ewen Jaouen Transfer: Comparison To Nick Pope
As Nick Pope continues to get older, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has looked to find a young talent that can jump in between the sticks and take on the challenge once the 34-year-old moves on.
With the ex-Burnley shot-stopper having one more year left on his deal, the Ewen Jaouen transfer has come at just the right time as it allows the young Frenchman to learn his craft from a great shot-stopper.
Between the two goalkeepers, Jaouen made more appearances last season 34 Ligue 2 matches played, as Pope picked up an injury which ruled four league matches, and inevitably, the English goalkeeper made only 27 Premier League appearances.
The save percentage also favours Nick Pope, but only by 2% as the Newcastle United number one faced 127 shots in the Premier League, 17 more than Jaouen.
In terms of distribution, the 20-year-old Frenchman is a lot better than his more experienced teammate. With over double the amount of successful passes completed, Jaouen is a goalkeeper that is good with his feet and is over 12% than Pope in that department.
In terms of goalkeeping, Pope is a lot more comfortable in making saves, acting like a sweeper and taking high claims, something that the Ewen Jaouen transfer to Newcastle United will help the young Frenchman to learn.
As Pope’s near 80% save percentage shows, it will allow Jaouen to be able to grasp the challenges of the Premier League, as his 50% save percentage from Ligue 2 shows that there are definite signs of improvement.
The Ewen Jaouen Transfer: What Does Eddie Howe See In The Young Goalkeeper?
At only 20 and never playing top-flight football, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has gone against the Premier League proven signing policy and signed someone young and relatively inexperienced.
The young Frenchman may have only been playing senior football for the last two-and-a-half seasons, but his stellar season with Reims has put him in the spotlight.
Upon the completion of the Ewen Jaouen transfer, Howe was delighted with the addition of the young French goalkeeper.
The Newcastle United manager said:
“Ewen is a great addition and I am delighted to welcome him to Newcastle United.
“He is an exciting young goalkeeper who has shown real promise during his time in France. He has a calmness and presence that belies his age, and he’s someone we feel can grow and improve within our environment.”
With Nick Pope potentially into his last season with Newcastle United, the Ewen Jaouen transfer allows the Magpies to integrate a fantastic young talent into their squad.
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