Newcastle United are set to don the green and white of Saudi Arabia for a second successive season, as they bid to become the most popular team in the Middle East.
The Magpies opted for a primarily white third shirt this season, one which features a green trim around the neckline and sleeves accompanied by green shorts and white and green socks.
The colours match that of the Saudi Arabian flag, the homeland of their owners - The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia - who provided the public with a visual reminder of their ownership.
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Despite causing controversy, the kit has been a hit with the Newcastle United fanbase, who have purchased the shirt in their numbers.
It doesn't look like the owners are going to be stepping away from the spotlight anytime soon, with Newcastle United reportedly set to release another 'Saudi-style' away kit for the 2023/24 campaign.
The decision comes as the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia aims to become the Middle East's most popular team, growing the global brand of Newcastle United in the process.
The decision to continue to target their Saudi Arabian fanbase was confirmed by Newcastle's chief commercial officer, Peter Silverstone, who made the following statement:
"We are focused on growing our fanbase and following in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East. Our ambition is to become the most supported global football team in Saudi Arabia.”
Despite a change in fortunes on the field since the change of ownership, the Magpies have some way to go if they are to overtake Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr as the most followed club in the Middle East.
Aided by the arrival of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Al Nassr's Instagram following sits at a whopping 13.7m. By contrast, Newcastle has 1.5m followers on the same platform.
The Magpies' on-the-field success will play a key role in their bid to grow their global following, with qualification for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League now the target for the club, who fell agonisingly short of winning a first major trophy since 1955 when they fell to defeat in the Carabao Cup final last month.
Eddie Howe's side currently sits in fifth place in the Premier League table, a point adrift of Tottenham Hotspur. Newcastle has a game in hand on their rivals as they bid to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2003.
Topics: Newcastle United, Premier League
Tom Young