One of Newcastle United’s summer signings is not part of the squad that has travelled to Japan.
The Magpies have landed in Tokyo ahead of two pre-season friendlies in the Far East, with Eddie Howe‘s players continuing their preparations for the 2024/25 season.
The Newcastle United squad is suddenly much stronger than it was for the friendly with Hull City, with Bruno Guimaraes back with the group following his Copa America exploits with Brazil.
He has been getting back to business with his Toon teammates, whilst also meeting Newcastle’s new arrivals. The club have released a video of Bruno introducing himself to Lloyd Kelly, Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy, but one of Newcastle’s summer signings is not with the squad.
Newcastle have signed Serbian teenager
The most recent player to sign for Newcastle United was Miodrag Pivas.
The 19-year-old has joined the Magpies from FK Jedinstvo Ub, but is yet to be spotted in training with his Toon teammates.
It is unclear whether the Serbian teenager will work with the first-team or the Under-21s, and that mystery continues after it was announced that he would not be in the squad for the pre-season trip to Japan.
Garang Kuol has also not been included, but there was room for the likes of Treven Sanusi, Alfie Harrison and Cathal Heffernan.
Miodrag Pivas shares update on Instagram after Newcastle move
While Newcastle have been travelling to Japan, it appears that Pivas has been saying his goodbyes.
He shared a message to his official Instagram account on Sunday, writing: “Thank you people of Ublj, until our next meeting.”
Alongside those words, he shared a selection of images of him playing for Jedinstvo, as well as a photo of him and two-time Premier League winner Nemanja Matic.
Matic represented the Jedinstvo academy back when he was a youngster, and has awarded Pivas with a shirt following his move to Newcastle United.
Pivas will hope to follow in Matic’s footsteps, with the 35-year-old seen as one of the best defensive midfielders around when he was at his peak. Newcastle’s newest signing can also play as a defensive midfielder, although he is primarily a centre-back.
He heads to Newcastle with the best wishes of Matic and his now former club Jedinstvo, with Toon officials hoping that Pivas develops into a first-team star at St James’ Park in the coming years.
However, it remains to be seen what the immediate future holds for the teenager. Pivas could go straight into the first-team, train with the Under-21s or be sent out on loan. But for now, he is not with the rest of Eddie Howe’s players in Japan.
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