Newcastle United have announced the signing of highly-rated Georgian talent Vakhtang Salia.
After reports of a potential move emerged in September, the club have now confirmed that the 17-year-old will arrive from Dinamo Tbilisi in August 2025 on his 18th birthday. In the meantime, he’ll remain with the Georgian giants before arriving in the North East next summer.
Salia made his first team debut last year and has gone on to become a regular in Dinamo’s senior side, scoring in a Europa Conference League qualifier and netting five times in 24 league appearances.
He has represented Georgia at U17, U19 and U21 level and comes highly recommended by sporting director Paul Mitchell, who reveals that we fended off competition from a “number of top clubs” to sign the forward.
Speaking to the club’s official website about Salia’s arrival, Mitchell said: “We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang.
“Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.
“We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future.
“We look forward to working with Vakhtang and wish him every success during his remaining time with Dinamo Tbilisi.”
Welcome to Newcastle, Vakhtang!
🇬🇪 Vakhtang Salia
✍️ Welcome to the Toon! ⚫️⚪️#NUFC
— NUFCBlog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) October 29, 2024
the next khavaskelia!
jeffrey(Quote)
There is absolutely no point in us signing young players. Our record developing this is prob among the worst in the league. Spend time and effort on the first team. Paul Mitchell is an incompetent POS.
A(Quote)
Looks like a good all action player
Mike(Quote)
John Eddy(Quote)