Report: Newcastle lining up new commercial deals during Saudi Arabia trip

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Newcastle United are currently working very hard in Saudi Arabia, both on and off the pitch as Peter Silverstone eyes new commercial deals.

The team have travelled to Riyadh for a warm weather training camp, as they prepare for domestic football to return later this month.

Those not involved in the World Cup are being put through their paces by Eddie Howe, as he looks for his side to pick up where they left off. Newcastle were fabulous in the first half of the season, and currently sit third in the Premier League.

But this trip isn’t just about football. While Howe will be most concerned with how his players get on in training and in the friendly against Al-Hilal, there is a commercial side to Newcastle’s journey to Saudi Arabia.

Major club figures have made the trip. Co-owners Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben are there, while the team have also met with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

Various other behind the scenes figures are there too, including Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, Chief Executive Officer Darren Eales and newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer Peter Silverstone.

And the latter is reportedly very busy in Riyadh.

Peter Silverstone hard at work during Saudi trip

According to the Shields Gazette, Silverstone has been in and out of meetings with potential sponsors and commercial partners, as he looks to boost the club’s revenue.

Silverstone has been working alongside Eales in Riyadh, where they have reportedly been well received.

Sponsorship is a big topic of discussion right now, and Silverstone has a pivotal role in that department. He joined Newcastle in October, having previously worked with Arsenal.

There has already been one deal announced during the trip. It was confirmed on Tuesday that stc is the club’s ‘Official Digital Tour Partner‘ for the trip to Saudi Arabia.

This comes after a deal with Saudi airline SAUDIA, who brought the players to Riyadh and now have a sponsorship presence at St James’ Park.

Alongside sleeve sponsor Noon, Newcastle now have three Saudi-based sponsors. And based on the work that Silverstone and Eales are doing right now, it sounds like more are on the horizon.