Newcastle United have completed the signing of Sparta Prague goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a permanent deal.
The 29-year-old becomes the Magpies' first signing of the summer on a contract to June 2022 after the Premier League club activated an option to sign the player.
Dubravka initially joined Newcastle on loan from Sparta in January 2018 and quickly became a key component of Rafael Benitez's squad.
The Slovakia international kept a clean sheet on his debut in a 1-0 home win over Manchester United and went on to make 12 league appearances as the Magpies finished 10th in the top flight.
"We're delighted to finalise the permanent signing of Martin to Newcastle United today," Benitez told the official club website.
"Ever since he arrived with us on loan he has shown a fantastic attitude and great work ethic, and of course we have been very impressed with his performances for us on the pitch last season.
"This was one of the key positions we had identified we needed to strengthen and had been concerned about, so it is excellent news that we are able now to sign him on a permanent basis.
"The loan deal with an option to buy was the perfect deal for the club... we now say congratulations to Martin and look forward to having him with us for the long term at Newcastle United."
Dubravka has been capped 10 times by Slovakia and played against England at Wembley Stadium in a qualifier for this summer's World Cup.
Giuseppe Labellarte
