Teenage defender Miodrag Pivas 'excited' to join Newcastle

Pivas, who has represented Serbia at Under-17 level, played as a defensive midfielder for Jedinstvo last season as they won promotion to the Serbian Super Liga.

Pivas said: "It's absolutely unbelievable to join such a big club like Newcastle United and I cannot wait to get started. I see the project of the club and it looks great which helped convince me to sign for Newcastle.

"I see the young players have developed very well here and I would like to do the same - to develop and get into Newcastle's first team. I'm very excited and I can't wait to begin."

Magpies chief executive Darren Eales said Pivas' capture was part of an ongoing drive to identify potential as the club continues to operate within Premier League profitability and sustainability rules.

Eales said: "Miodrag is a promising talent with high potential. Our recruitment network is continuing to watch young players like Miodrag around the world with a view to identifying and developing them into first-team players of the future."