Newcastle United complete out of window signing as club supremo toasts exciting deal
Newcastle United have snapped up highly-rated Georgian striker Vakhtang Salia from Dinamo Tbilisi.
The 17-year-old will officially join up on his 18th birthday in August 2025 and will remain with Dinamo for now. Salia made his professional debut for his hometown club in November 2023 as Dinamo narrowly missed out on winning the Erovnuli Liga title.
He has become a mainstay in the first team this season, scoring five goals in 24 appearances in the Georgian top flight. At international level, he has represented Georgia at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.
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Paul Mitchell, Newcastle United’s Sporting Director, 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.”
The signing appears to be part of Mitchell's longer-term plan at Newcastle after he commented earlier this season: "I think it takes time. At some points on the journey over the next five years we are going to have to rely on a level of patience. I know that is a hard thing to ask for. But it is important to understand that we are on a journey.
"It will take time, we have got some great elements that make me super excited and have been drivers to my decision, the coach being one. I think in five years I think we can really challenge for important things. And at an important level and that's what we need to do."