Done deal: "Highly-rated" centre-back explains "unbelievable" Newcastle transfer

Labelled as a 'promising' and 'highly-rated' defender who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, Pivas joins the Magpies after visiting Tyneside last month to hold talks with club executives.

The 19-year-old began his career playing for Austrian regional teams UFC Siezenheim and SV Grodig, before making the move to Jedinstvo last year.

Pivas was quickly promoted to their senior team and made 26 appearances in all competitions for a side that secured promotion to the Serbia Prva Liga after finishing as runners-up in the second tier.

The Novi Sad-born defender has also had success on the international stage after reaching the semi-finals of the European Under-17 Championship with Serbia in 2022.

Pivas has decided to make the next step in his career by joining Newcastle and becomes Eddie Howe's fifth signing of the summer transfer window after Lloyd Kelly, Lewis Hall, Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy.

Newcastle "project" persuaded Pivas to make Tyneside transfer

"It's absolutely unbelievable to join such a big club like Newcastle United and I cannot wait to get started," Pivas told the club's official website. "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."

Newcastle CEO Darren Eales added: "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.

"We are pleased to welcome him to Newcastle United and we look forward to supporting his development at this important stage of his career."

During his first interview as a Newcastle player, speaking in fluent English without the assistance of a translator, Pivas explained his strongest characteristics and discussed his ambitions at the club going forward.

"My best strengths are my pace, being a centre-back, as well as my heading and passing ability," said the youngster. "I want to start playing for the first team as soon as possible and show what I can do. I've watched a lot of Newcastle's games, they are playing very well and I believe I can play at that level.

Pivas targeting first-team football at Newcastle

"I won promotion last season and it was amazing, getting to the top tier in Serbia. It was an incredible feeling and I learnt a lot playing as a centre-back because of my manager (Ivan Radovanovic), who played in Serie A for 15 years and was quite important to me."

Pivas is aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Serbians who have played in the Premier League including Nemanja Vidic, Branislav Ivanovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic, the latter of whom spent two-and-a-half seasons as a Magpies player.

"Mitrovic is a legend for the people of Serbia and I have watched a lot of his games growing up," Pivaa added. "He's still playing very well and I want to try and follow in the steps of the likes of Mitrovic as well as Nemanja Vidic and (Branislav) Ivanovic who have won the Premier League. I think I can be like that.

"I know Newcastle finished seventh last season, just missing out on European football, which was sad, but I hope we can qualify for European competition next season.

"I have also watched the Newcastle fans on TV and they are absolutely amazing. I am looking forward to playing in front of them."

Pivas is expected to link up with his new Newcastle teammates ahead of their pre-season tour of Japan later this month.