Newcastle United are facing a long wait before they see one of their recent summer signings pull on the black and white shirt, as teenage forward Vakhtang Salia continues to recover from what the club considers a devastating injury blow.
The young Georgian arrived with huge promise and plenty of excitement from fans, but his first months connected with the club have gone in a completely different direction than anyone expected.
Salia agreed to join Newcastle from Dinamo Tbilisi during the final days of the summer transfer window, but because he was still 17 at the time, the move could only be completed once he turned 18 on August 30, 2025.
Newcastle confirmed this arrangement in an October 2024 statement and made it clear they had big plans for his future. He even travelled to Tyneside in January to meet the key staff, including head coach Eddie Howe, take part in media duties, and get a taste of what awaited him before returning to Georgia to continue playing.
With Dinamo Tbilisi, Salia had made an impressive 59 senior appearances before turning 18, scoring eight goals and earning praise for his maturity and potential.
Newcastle clearly believed they had secured one of the brightest young talents in Georgian football, someone who could grow into a powerful and versatile forward. But instead of stepping into training immediately, Salia found himself dealing with a serious setback that has delayed everything the club had planned for him.
A hamstring injury prevented any chance of a short-term loan move and also stopped him from joining Newcastle’s Under-21s setup as expected.
For three months, he has been unable to train or take part in matches, spending his time going through rehab while the club’s coaching and medical teams monitor his progress carefully.
On Tuesday evening, Salia watched from the stands as the Under-21s drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad in the Premier League International Cup. It was a reminder of how far he still has to go before he can step onto the pitch himself.
After the match, Under-21s lead coach Adam Lawrence spoke openly about the teenager’s condition. He confirmed the club is hoping Salia can start training again towards the end of December or early January, which means he will not be ready to play until sometime in 2026.
Lawrence described the situation as heartbreaking for everyone involved, saying that it was devastating to see a talented young player arrive with so much excitement only to suffer such an early setback.
He praised Salia’s attitude, calling him an outstanding young man who has remained positive and professional despite how difficult the situation must be for him.
According to Lawrence, Salia has handled the challenge with quiet determination and has shown real maturity for someone his age.
He added that the medical and sports science teams are taking a cautious, week-by-week approach to make sure Salia recovers properly.
While the plan is for him to rejoin training around the turn of the year, the club wants to avoid rushing him and risking further damage. For now, the focus is on steady progress, rebuilding his fitness and giving him the time and support he needs to return stronger.
Earlier in the year, Salia spoke about his excitement after learning Newcastle wanted him. He admitted he initially couldn’t believe the news and said it was a dream to think about playing at St James’ Park.
He sees himself as a versatile attacking player who can play centrally or from the left, and he made it clear that he prefers letting others judge his performances rather than talking about himself.
He also acknowledged that moving away from Georgia is a major challenge but one he feels every ambitious player must take on. He understands he will need to work harder than ever to make the step up into European football and prove he belongs at a club like Newcastle.
For now, the club must remain patient as one of their most promising young signings rebuilds from an early setback. If his attitude and determination are any indication, Salia plans to make sure the long wait will eventually be worth it.
