Vaktang Salia will officially join Newcastle United in August. (Photo credit: NUFCTV)placeholder image
Vaktang Salia will officially join Newcastle United in August. (Photo credit: NUFCTV) | NUFCTV
Newcastle United new signing Vakhtang Salia is currently sidelined with an injury.
Vakhtang Salia will have to wait before making his first appearance in Newcastle United colours.
Salia officially joined from Georgian top-flight side Dinamo Tbilisi on August 30. It was announced in October 2024 that Salia had agreed to join but the transfer couldn’t be rubber-stamped until he turned 18 years old.
In that period, Salia remained at Tbilisi, where, after coming through the academy, he scored eight goals and provided four assists in 57 appearances.
Vakhtang Salia’s goodbye message to Dinamo Tbilisi
He confirmed his departure on August 19 by posting a farewell message on social media.
“The moment has come when I have to say goodbye to my home club,” Salia wrote on Instagram. “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 Dynamo - after almost every age group in the academy, I adapted to the first team uniform and that’s where I became a professional footballer. I'll never forget my debut goal scored in Torpedo's door.
“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. Goodbye, but I believe that we will definitely meet in the future. Blue and white all the way! 💙🤍”
Newcastle United new signing Vakhtang Salia currently injured
Salia is now living on Tyneside but has yet to appear for the academy sides, leading to some questions over his whereabouts.
But as revealed by NewcastleWorld last week, the forward currently has a hamstring injury, which is likely to keep him sidelined until later this year.
Sources in Georgia have since confirmed that Salia missed out on a place in the Georgia under-21s during the international because of injury.
Vakhtang Salia on joining Newcastle United transfer
Salia was due to link up with United’s under-21s squad with a view to going out on loan, though the latter could still occur if the player is back from injury.
Speaking about joining Newcastle, Salia said: “I have been to the academy, training ground and the stadium - it is amazing. It is my dream to play there, I think it is everyone’s dream to play there!
Read More
“When I heard Newcastle were interested me, motivation comes naturally. First time I heard I couldn’t believe it because it was big news for me.
“I think I have to work more to come here. To come into Europe after Georgia, it will be really difficult, I have to exercise and work more.
“It is a big challenge for me. I have this motivation to play outside of Georgia. It is a move every professional player has to make to follow their teams.”
Continue Reading