Newcastle United forgotten striker scores in training ground friendly after five-month injury blow
Vakhtang Salia is finally in action for Newcastle United - almost 18 months after his move was initially announced.
Vakhtang Salia got his Newcastle United career off to a promising start after his long-awaited first match since signing for the club.
Salia joined Newcastle fromDinamo Tbilisi at the end of the summer transfer window in a deal that was initially agreed and announced in 2024. Newcastle released a statement confirming that Salia would complete his move to Tyneside once he turned 18 on August 30, 2025.
Salia made 59 appearances for Dinamo Tbilisi before his 18th birthday, scoring eight goals. He arrived at Newcastle with plenty of promise, but a hasmtring injury ultimately delayed him making an impact.
The injury also scuppered any potential loan move that had been considered for the youngster prior to his arrival on Tyneside as well as preventing him from training properly over the past five months.
But Salia has since returned to training and earlier this week he was in action for the first time as a Newcastle player, taking part in an Under-21s friendly match.
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Vakhtang Salia scores on unofficial NUFC U21s debut
Salia started and scored in a 2-1 training ground friendly win for Newcastle Under-21s against Northern Ireland Under-19s on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old, wearing the No. 9 shirt, scored from close range to give the Young Magpies the lead before Northern Ireland made it 1-1 before half-time. Joe Brayson scored in the second half for Newcastle before Theo Ferreira saw a penalty saved in the closing stages as the match ended 2-1.
Newcastle’s team featured a number of players transferred into the academy set up from elsewhere. Miodrag Pivas, Baran Yildiz, Kyle Fitzgerald, Isaac Moran and Michael Mills also featured in the match having all made the switch to Tyneside over the past two seasons.
Vakhtang Salia on Newcastle United transfer
Speaking last year, Salia told the club website: “The first time I heard it [Newcastle were interested] I could not believe it. It was big news for me. It’s my dream to play [at St James’ Park] and I think it’s everyone’s dream to play there.”
Salia can play in a central striker role or out on the left, and views himself as a versatile attacking player.
“I don’t think I can play in just one position,” he added. “I can play more. Just let me play and I will prove it. I don’t like to think about me – I let other people talk about me.”
“It’s a big challenge for me and I have motivation to play outside of Georgia. I think it’s a move every professional player has to make to follow their dreams.
“I have to work more to come here. To go in Europe after Georgia is very difficult, I will have to exercise and work more.”