New signing en route to Newcastle - Transfer finally set to be made official this week

It's been a tricky few years regarding senior recruitment at Newcastle United, but the fresh approach taken towards project signings and academy additions has been great to see.

With our pathways to first team action improving, we've seen the likes of Lewis Miley emerge and a number of top prospects develop at under-18 and under-21 level.

Plus, we’ve been scouting the globe for prodigal talents to make our own: Park Seung-Soo has already made a fantastic impression, and we beat out the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to sign Antonio Cordero from Malaga.

And the train of new signings doesn’t show any signs of stopping, as one player on the precipice of turning 18 is about to be confirmed as our next academy star, having given his public farewell to his soon-to-be former club…

Salia says goodbye ahead of official move

Georgian youngster Vakhtang Salia is set to officially become a Newcastle United player once he turns 18 on Saturday 30th of August.

An agreement with Dinamo Tibilsi was confirmed last October, but we'll soon see thee versatile forward arrive on Tyneside in a move that's been months in the making.

Writing an emotional goodbye message to his current club, Salia said this on Instagram:

“The moment has come when I have to say goodbye to my home club,” he said. “It's not easy, but I know it's part of football and a new phase of my career ahead.

“I spent a lot of time at Dinamo - after almost every age group in the academy, I adapted to the first team shirt and that’s where I became a professional footballer. I'll never forget my debut goal scored in Torpedo's net.

“I learned everything I know now at this club, and I’m very grateful to everyone I’ve met along the way - coaches, teammates, management, staff and fans.

“I know that there is a long way ahead of me and I am ready to give everything I can to succeed. Farewell, but I believe that we will definitely meet in the future. Blue and white all the way!”

Likened to PSG star and compatriot Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Salia looks to fully know how important this move is for him and how his career could pan out.

But just what are the plans for him now he’s set to switch from Tiblisi’s blue and white stripes to our black and white stripes.

What next for the Georgian?

Salia is perhaps unfortunate that he wasn’t able to be a pre-season option for us.

We saw with Park Seung-Soo that being given those first team minutes right off the bat helped confirm the club’s decision to keep him in England and as part of our U-21 set up.

If he doesn't follow a similar path, you would expect that Salia to enjoy a loan spell abroad this season, like Cordero who has been sent to K.V.C. Westerlo in the Belgian top flight.