Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira

Official profile page captured on 2026-10-06.

Country of Birth: Brazil: Date of Birth: 14.08.1996: Position: Midfielder: Height: 186cm: Date of Debut: 11.08.2019

The versatile Brazilian began his career at Sport Recife in his homeland, making his first team debut at the age of 16 and netting three times in 12 outings before his move to the Bundesliga in June 2015.

A year after joining Hoffenheim, he joined Rapid Wien on loan for two seasons, where he went on to net 21 goals in 79 appearances during a productive spell in the Austrian capital.

On his return to the PreZero Arena, Joelinton established himself in the German side's attack, where his 11 goals in 35 games - including one in the Champions League against Lyon - helped Hoffenheim secure a ninth-placed finish before he made the switch to Newcastle.

Initially deployed as a forward at St. James' Park, he scored his first goal for the Magpies in a 1-0 Premier League victory away at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in August 2019 before the arrival of Howe in 2021 saw him revert to a central midfield berth.

Joelinton has become a favourite with the United faithful, with his all-action displays in the middle of the park earning him the club's Player of the Year award for 2021/22 - as well as an international debut for Brazil.

Speaking in January 2026, after making his 250th appearance in black and white, Joelinton said: "It's a great feeling to play 250 games for a massive club like Newcastle. It's a club with history and the best fans in the world, playing at St. James' Park. It makes me proud that I never gave up and followed my dreams, giving everything I have."

Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira

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