'I'm absolutely thrilled': Newcastle icon delighted as Magpies beat Real Madrid to 'Gerrard-like' wonderkid
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If or when the wonderkid makes his mark in a Newcastle United shirt, a newcomer to St James’ Park will join a very select group of former Premier League players.
Despite interest from the likes Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and even Real Madrid, The Magpies confirmed on Tuesday that they had snapped up one of the most coveted, most highly-regarded teenage forwards anywhere in Europe.
Dinamo Tbilisi wonderkid Vakhtang Salia will officially become a Newcastle United player when he turns 18 in August 2025. Talk about a birthday gift.
And, when the time comes for Salia to step onto the Premier League stage, the latest to emerge in a Golden Generation of Georgian footballers will become only the sixth player in the competitions history to herald from a country of just 3.7 million proud compatriots.
And the second to pull on the black and white stripes of Newcastle.
Temuri Ketsbaia, he of that iconic stadium-smashing celebration, cannot speak highly enough about a transfer which, should Salia live up to his undoubted potential, could make Newcastle United the toast of Georgia.
Vakhtang Salia’s Newcastle United move excites Temuri Ketsbaia
“I'm absolutely thrilled with Vakho's transfer to Newcastle United,” a delighted Kestbaia writes on his official Instagram account. “This is the club where I spent the best period of my career. I can’t compare the years I spent there to anything.
“I wish Vakho a more successful and longer career in this club, which has a strong squad and is one of the leading clubs in the Premier League.
"I’m sure that, after this transfer, he will work even harder to achieve the goal of playing for Newcastle as soon as possible and prove to everyone that they made the right choice for him.
“We need such transfers at this level so that the Georgian national team’s successful period can be further extended and strengthened. Good luck to him!"
Ketsbaia himself made his mark at Dinamo Tbilisi before heading to England. The so-called ‘Mad Monk’ spent three years in the Newcastle monastery until joining Wolves in 2020.
Still only 17 but with five goals already in 27 Georgian top-flight appearances, Salia may have to bide his time on Tyneside. But The Magpies clearly feel they have a player capable of exceeding Ketsbaia’s impact in the North East.
Paul Mitchell admits Newcastle fought off big interest for Salia
“We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang,” director Paul Mitchell tells the official Newcastle website, Barcelona, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also among Salia’s host of admirers.
“Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future. Particularly within the current PSR [Profit and Sustainability] framework, 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.”
A centre-forward by trade, Newcastle-bound Salia has been likened to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard recently due to his pinpoint passing and his ‘outstanding’ combination play.
