Newcastle United have completed the signing of 17-year-old Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia.
The teenager, who attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, will return to Dinamo Tbilisi on loan for the remainder of the Georgian top-flight campaign before officially joining Newcastle next summer when he turns 18.
Newcastle sporting director Paul 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 (profitability and sustainability rules) framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.”
The Georgia Under-21 international has scored five goals in 24 appearances for Dinamo Tbilisi, who are fifth in the Erovnuli Liga.
Newcastle made four signings in the summer transfer window, with William Osula, Odysseas Vlachodimos and Miodrag Pivas all arriving for undisclosed fees, while Lewis Hall joined on a permanent deal that was agreed 12 months earlier.
The club also sold young talent Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson to ensure their compliance with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.
Newcastle are 12th in the table having taken 12 points from their opening nine Premier League games.
They play Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before returning to Premier League action at home to Arsenal on Saturday.
What can Newcastle expect from Salia?
Salia is recognised as one of the most exciting young players in Georgia.
He plays up front for Dinamo Tbilisi, the biggest club in the country, who often produce the best players through their academy and mix them into the senior set-up early.
This season he featured in the Europa Conference League qualifying campaign and scored as his side were beaten by Mornar Bar over two legs.
Newcastle had been tracking him for some time alongside a number of other Premier League clubs who have taken a stronger interest in Georgian football in more recent years.
Those who have watched Salia play regularly say he’s by far the best player in his age group in the country but that he needs time to improve and adapt.
(MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
