Newcastle United travel to Saudi Arabia for week-long training camp

Eddie Howe's team to play training match against Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad on Friday

Jonjo Shelvey celebrates with Kieran Trippier after scoring Newcastle United in their 1-0 Premier League win over Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, January 22, 2022. Reuters

Jonjo Shelvey fires home Newcastle's winning goal from a free-kick. Getty

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier fails to keep out Jonjo Shelvey's free-kick. AFP

Leeds attacker Rodrigo shoots at goal. Getty

Newcastle attacker Allan Saint-Maximin runs at the Leeds defence. Getty

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa. Getty

Newcastle's Chris Wood and Diego Llorente of Leeds challenge for a header. Reuters

Jonjo Shelvey scores from a free-kick for Newcastle at Elland Road.

Newcastle players celebrate after the match. Getty

Leeds' Mateusz Klich in action against Newcastle. Getty

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe with his Leeds counterpart Marcelo Bielsa in the background. Getty

Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey and Sean Longstaff celebrate after the match. Getty

Newcastle striker Chris Wood goes for goal. Getty

Newcastle United will take part in a warm-weather training camp in Jeddah — their first visit to the kingdom since the club was purchased by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium.

The club announced on their website that Eddie Howe's team will be stationed in Jeddah and “return to the UK on Saturday, January 29, ahead of their next Premier League fixture against Everton on February 8".

The Magpies also revealed that the first team squad members will play a behind-closed-doors training match against Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad on Friday, January 28.

The training camp will be the club’s first visit to Saudi Arabia since it was acquired by a consortium that includes PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media last year.

The kingdoms' sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund), are the majority partners alongside British-based Reuben brothers and financier Amanda Staveley. The deal is said to be worth £300 million ($408 million).

Newcastle will be in buoyant mood during the trip, with the belief that Saturday's 1-0 win at Leeds United turns out to be a turning point in their fight to avoid relegation.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey's second-half free-kick helped Newcastle earn only their second league win this season, a result that lifted them to 18th and within one point of the safety zone.

“We showed there is resilience in the team, we are fighting for each other. They are fighting for the club. They have belief they are not dead and buried. There is more to come,” Howe said.

“I am so, so pleased for everyone connected with Newcastle that we won the game. Hopefully it can transform our season.”