Newcastle United confirm exit of summer signing as £33m Premier League transfer highlighted

The 19-year-old joined Newcastle from Serbian club FK Jedinstvo Ub in July for an undisclosed fee but will spend the upcoming campaign in the Netherlands.

He takes a similar path to Yankuba Minteh, who joined the Magpies last summer from Odense Boldklub before immediately being loaned to Feyenoord.

United, however, will be hoping to avoid what followed after being forced to sell Minteh to Brighton & Hove Albion for £33million as they battled to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

“For my development, I mainly have to train and play minutes at the highest level,” Pivas said on the move. “Willem II is known for giving young players a chance. I hope that I can gain experience here and then take that with me to my higher goal, playing in the Premier League.'

Willem technical director Tom Caluwe added: “We want to create a balance between experience and young talent. We have good contacts in England and Miodrag came into the picture at our scouting.

“He is a very talented defender who wants to gain experience at the highest level. We can help him with that and it gives our selection a quality boost across the board.”

Born in Novi Sad, north west of Serbian capital Belgrade, Pivas began his career with Austrian regional sides UFC Siezenheim and SV Grodig before returning to his native country with Jedinstvo in 2023.

Darren Eales, CEO at Newcastle, said: “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.”

Pivas, who has represented Serbia at youth level, recently received a glowing review from former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic — comparing him to Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic.

"A huge talent and serious potential,” said Matic. “If he continues this way, he's on the path to the national team. In my opinion, we haven't seen a player with such predispositions since Nemanja Vidic and Bradislav Ivanovic. A complete player and a top professional.”