Vakhtang Salia officially joined Newcastle United in August 2025. (Photo credit: NUFCTV)placeholder image
Vakhtang Salia officially joined Newcastle United in August 2025. (Photo credit: NUFCTV) | NUFCTV
One of Newcastle United’s 2025 summer signings is closing in on a return from injury.
Vakhtang Salia is close to playing in Newcastle United colours for the first time.
Salia agreed to join the Magpies in October 2024 but had to wait until he turned 18 in August before officially completing his move from Georgian top-flight side Dinamo Tbilisi.
The teenage forward arrived on Tyneside with a lot of promise after United beta several top clubs, including Arsenal, to signature.
Salia made 57 appearances and scored eight times for Tbilisi, however is yet to make an impact at his new club due to injury.
Vakhtang Salia close to making Newcastle United U21s debut
Salia had been due to link up with the under-21s with a view to going out on loan, but has been unable to train or play whilst he recovers from a hamstring problem.
But finally, around five months after landing on Tyneside, Salia is close to pulling on the black and white shirt after resuming team training this week.
Salia shared a video of him with the under-21s where he looked sharp in various small sided shooting drills.
Vakhtang Salia injury update
The last official update provided on Salia came in November via Adam Lawrence before he left his role as U21s lead coach to return to Manchester United.
“He is making good progress,” Lawrence said. “Everyone was devastated that he has come into the club and got the injury he picked up.
“I’ve not seen him on the pitch but he’s an outstanding young man around the training ground with how he conducts himself.
“I’m sure in his mind it’s been really tough for him but he hasn’t shown that. He’s stayed really positive.
“The medical and sports science team are looking towards the back end of December and into January for when he can start training with the group and building those levels of fitness - but we are taking it week-by-week.
“Without getting too carried away, he is on course and making good progress with his rehab and he has been really diligent in that way.”
Vakhtang Salia reacts to joining Newcastle United
The journey starts now for Salia, who has already outlined ambitions to break into Newcastle’s first team.
“I have been to the academy, training ground and the stadium - it is amazing,” Salia said after joining the club. “It is my dream to play there, I think it is everyone’s dream to play there!
“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