Newcastle United set for £15m land purchase as PIF backs £200m training centre
Newcastle United are on the verge of their biggest move yet under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The club is close to announcing plans for a £200m state-of-the-art training facility.
The new centre is planned for a site in Woolsington, near Newcastle International Airport and just five miles from St James’ Park, according to the Daily Mail. Newcastle will pay £15m upfront to acquire the land, previously owned by former chairman Sir John Hall.
Once the deal is complete, Newcastle will release concept images and detailed plans. US-based architects Populous are leading the design, which could feature indoor and outdoor pitches, a mini stadium, spa-like amenities, and player accommodation.
Current training ground renovations at Benton have cost over £10m, but CEO Dan Hopkinson has stressed that the club needs a world-class facility to attract and retain top talent. “Even with the renovations, we probably only reach an eight out of ten,” Hopkinson said. “We can’t reach a ten on the current site, which is why we are planning this major investment to build a ten.”
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