Newcastle United to hold training camp in Austria

London, June 29

After scheduling games against Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao, Newcastle United will face two German opponents in Austria in July as a part of their preparations for the upcoming 2022/23 Premier League campaign. The club have already confirmed an away friendly against Benfica on July 26, before a home double-header against Atalanta July 29 and Athletic Bilbao the following day.

After taking on neighbours Gateshead - fresh from their promotion to the National League and managed by former Magpies defender Mike Williamson - in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Newcastle United Training Centre on July 9, Eddie Howe's side will travel to Austria for a week-long training camp.

This will include a friendly against 1860 Munich on July 15 at the picturesque SaalfeldenArena Burgerau and a clash with Mainz 05 on July 18 at the 4,500-capacity Kufstein Arena.

1860 Munich are former champions of Germany who were runners-up in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1964/65, but currently play in the third tier of German football, 3. Liga. The two sides met in the Intertoto Cup in 2001, with Newcastle winning 6-3 on aggregate over two legs.

Mainz 05, meanwhile, finished eighth in the Bundesliga last term. United played against them in a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2017, losing 2-1.

Newcastle United agree Sven Botman deal

Newcastle United have agreed a deal in principle with LOSC Lille to sign Dutch defender Sven Botman for an undisclosed fee, holding off competition from a host of European sides to secure the highly-rated centre-back.

Botman has completed his medical on Tyneside and agreed the terms of a five-year contract.

The formalities of the transfer are set to be concluded this week, following which the 22-year-old will officially become a Newcastle United player.

--IANS