It’s been a challenging spell in terms of senior arrivals at Newcastle United, yet the refreshed strategy towards developmental captures and I’m academy growth has been refreshing to witness.

With our routes into the senior squad improving, we’ve witnessed the breakthrough of Lewis Miley alongside a series of bright talents progressing at under-18 and under-21 level.

Additionally, we’ve been searching worldwide for emerging stars to mould into our own: Park Seung-Soo has already left a brilliant impression, and we fought off Real Madrid and Barcelona to secure Antonio Cordero from Malaga.

That steady flow of recruits doesn’t appear to be slowing down, as another teenager close to turning 18 is on the verge of being unveiled as our latest academy jewel, having now bid farewell to his current club.

Georgian attacker Vakhtang Salia will officially join Newcastle United once he reaches 18 on Saturday the 30th of August.

A deal with Dinamo Tbilisi was struck last October, but we’ll shortly welcome the versatile forward to Tyneside in a transfer long in the works.

“I gained everything I know from this team, and I owe so much to all those I’ve encountered – my coaches, teammates, directors, staff and supporters.

“I understand that the journey ahead is long, and I’m prepared to dedicate everything possible to succeed. Goodbye, but I’m sure we’ll meet again someday. Blue and white forever!”

Often compared to PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Salia clearly understands the weight of this step and the potential pathway his career may follow.

But the question remains what Newcastle’s intentions are for him as he trades Tbilisi’s blue-and-white stripes for the black-and-white of St. James’ Park.

We witnessed with Park Seung-Soo that being handed first-team minutes from the start reinforced the club’s call to keep him in England and slot him into our U-21 system.