Newcastle United will host a Saudi Arabian national team on Tyneside later this month, as links between the club and country of their majority owners are strengthened.
Sportsmail understands that Saudi White Falcons, consisting of players aged up to 19, will face a Newcastle academy XI at the end of November as part of a series of friendlies that also includes fixtures against Saudi Green Falcons, another under-age side.
It will be the first time a Saudi team has visited the UK since the takeover of the club last October, and it comes just a few days before Eddie Howe’s senior squad leave for a week-long stay in Riyadh as part of a mid-season break during the World Cup.