NICK WOLTEMADE has been told to “dive in and enjoy” life in Newcastle – starting with a trip to the famous Bigg Market.
The giant 6ft 6in German international forward, 23, is set to make his debut today against Wolves after becoming the club’s record £69m signing from Stuttgart.
Didi Hamann became the first German to play for Newcastle when joining from Bayern Munich in 1998.
And the ex-midfielder, who lifted the Champions League with Liverpool, has urged his compatriot to get down the lively and rowdy city centre hotspot to help him bed in.
Speaking exclusively to Sun Sport on behalf of Grosvenor Casino, Hamann said: “Dive in. Enjoy it. Bigg Market on a Sunday afternoon, make a few friends. Enjoy the ride.
“He’s a very open guy, a very smart guy. Be open to the people, because they’re fantastic, so passionate about football. There’s only one club in the city and football is everything for them.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately it was only one season, but there are reasons for that.
“So he should enjoy it and try not to let the fans down because they deserve it.”
If helping to fill the void left by Alexander Isak’s £130m exit to Liverpool wasn’t difficult enough, Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness’ claims that Toon’s big-money buy wasn’t worth the money heaped even more pressure on the hotshot.
And with Germany’s underwhelming start to World Cup qualification, Woltemade has faced even more scrutiny ahead of linking up with Eddie Howe’s squad.
Hamann agrees that Newcastle did overpay Stuttgart for the forward, but he firmly believes the Toon Army will have a huge star on their hands if they remain patient.
He said: “He’s found it hard recently. The national team hasn’t played well, he got a lot of stick. I didn’t think it was justified because if the team doesn’t play well, sometimes the poorest man on the pitch is a centre-forward. And these two games, unfortunately, it was him.
“He’s a very capable player. I probably would have paid £35m–£40m for. What Newcastle paid is probably double what he’s worth. But this is the way it is. They needed somebody.
“The one mistake people shouldn’t make at Newcastle is to expect too much too soon.
He needs a bit of time because it’s a different country, a different football. It’s quicker.
“And we have seen with Florian Wirtz, who’s further in his development, how hard he found it in the first three or four games at Liverpool.
“Don’t expect £90m things from a player who probably should have gone for £35m in normal circumstances.
“But he’s a capable player, awful to play against because of his height, he’s got pace, great feet and it’s a team that could suit him. They’ve got pace either side, Anthony Gordon is very quick, and the way they play could really suit him.
“I’m intrigued to see how he does but believe he will do well.”
Woltemade won’t have full responsibility of replacing Isak as Howe also brought in £55m Yoane Wissa to help form his new-look attack.
And Hamann claims the little-and-large duo can strike up a deadly partnership.
The 52-year-old added: “Isak’s been a fantastic player and probably been the best centre-forward in the Premier League, so it’s never easy or possible to replace him. But Newcastle have got two very capable players now.
“The other thing is Isak got quite a few injuries, which shouldn’t be forgotten.
“Woltemade didn’t have many, he hasn’t got much muscle because he’s so tall. And Wissa is a capable player as well.
“They’ve got options now with guile, pace, and physicality. Newcastle will play a good role this season.”
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