Newcastle United will be based at Adidas’ state-of-the-art headquarters in Germany this summer, Notebook can exclusively reveal.
To mark the arrival of the sportswear giant as the club’s official kit supplier, Eddie Howe and his team will travel to the £850 million World of Sports complex in Herzogenaurach in July. They will then return to the UK before flying to Japan on July 28 for a week-long stay including two friendlies.
The trip to Germany could also include a match and final details are being finalized. The training camp will include several commercial activations as Newcastle and adidas begin a relationship worth around £30 million per year with the club.
But using world-leading facilities is what will excite Howe, who prefers European-based tours rather than long-haul trips. The “Arena,” as it is called, includes soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, a running track and swimming pools and is home to more than 2,000 employees.
Arsenal were based on campus last summer and played a friendly against FC Nuremberg, the nearest professional club.
Newcastle will be based at Adidas’ state-of-the-art headquarters in Germany this summer.
Eddie Howe’s squad will be on hand for a training camp which marks the arrival of the sportswear giant as the club’s official kit supplier, a deal worth around £30 million a year for the club.
Several teams have been based there in the past, including Arsenal (left) and Germany (right).
THE PERFORMANCE CHIEF IS READY TO ARRIVE
Newcastle are set to appoint a new performance director AND a new sporting director, we can exclusively reveal.
Dougie Freedman remains the frontrunner for the athletic director role and progress is expected once the season ends. This position will focus on recruitment and the German Johannes Spors has also been mentioned.
However, the club is also looking to appoint a performance director as its behind-the-scenes restructuring continues following the departure of Dan Ashworth.
This follows the model of several Premier League clubs, where a director of performance oversees areas such as science, medicine, psychology and performance analysis.
Newcastle are determined to improve an injury record which has disrupted their season and seen them record the highest number of players’ missed days in the top flight.
Newcastle are set to appoint a new performance director and sporting director as they continue to restructure behind the scenes following Dan Ashworth’s departure from the club.
Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman remains favorite for sporting director role
TOSIN STILL ON THE TRACK
Newcastle chiefs are unfazed by reports Manchester United have made a late move to hijack a deal for Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Magpies have made an offer for the Fulham defender, a free agent this summer, and the 26-year-old is attracted by the project presented to him at St James’ Park.
Notebook has been informed that Man United have not made an offer for Adarabioyo and, although there is so much uncertainty at Old Trafford, it remains likely that the player will end up on Tyneside.
Newcastle remain confident they will sign Tosin Adarabioyo despite interest from Man United
TOON SCOUTS WATCH LEEDS
Keep an eye on developments at Leeds United, with Newcastle scouts attending their matches in recent months.
We understand the club will need to raise almost £100m in player sales if they fail to win promotion to the Premier League.
Winger Crysencio Summerville, 22, has been monitored by Newcastle, as well as Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool, among others. He has scored 20 times in 47 appearances and was named Championship player of the season last month.
Others who could be on Newcastle’s watchlist are goalkeeper Illan Meslier and teenage midfield sensation Archie Gray.
Newcastle scouts have been monitoring Leeds in recent months, with Mail Sport earlier reporting how they could have to reap £100m in player sales if they fail to achieve promotion.
One Leeds star to watch is Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville
TEASER TONES
Last week’s question was: FOUR players took penalties for Newcastle under Eddie Howe and FOUR other players (not in the previous answer) took penalties for Newcastle under Steve Bruce. The answers were: Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Chris Wood. And (under Bruce) Joe Willock, Matt Ritchie, Fabian Schar and Joelinton.
This week’s conundrum, and the last of the season, is this: Newcastle have long had a problem at left back. In fact, they have loaned FIVE left-backs since 2018. Name them.
The answers will be revealed on Saturday morning on our new WhatsApp channel dedicated to NUFC. It’s free and available HERE.