For Miodrag Pivac, Newcastle United has become his new home. He has quickly adapted to the Tyneside rhythm, both on and off the pitch. The Serbian defender, who joined Newcastle United from FK Jedinstvo Ub in July 2024, has been featured regularly for the club's U21 team in recent weeks and scored his first goal for the club in a Premier League match against Reading last month.  

The 20-year-old said his loan spell at Willem II last season was a disappointment. He made just five appearances in the top flight, as the club were relegated from the Eredivisie. He now hopes to improve his performances in the second team.  

Miodrag Pivas said: "I have been in the youth training camp for a few months and have established a good relationship with the staff and teammates here. Everyone accepted me very warmly and I really like the atmosphere here. The atmosphere in the locker room is very harmonious and makes me feel like I am back home. After a difficult season, I am very happy. Next, all I have to do is maintain stable performance and go all out to play for Newcastle United."  

“Every season brings something positive. Although it was a difficult experience and things didn’t go exactly as planned, I want to focus on the future and enjoy my time at Newcastle United. I feel like I’m at a stage where I’m really learning and maintaining stability.”  

“I was really happy when I scored my first goal for the U21s against Reading. We were trailing 1-0 at the time and it was a really great goal for the team. It gave me a lot of confidence and it made me more confident in myself. It was a positive moment.”  

The highly-rated centre-back, who made his debut for SV Grödiger in the Austrian third tier at the age of 16, said: "We need to constantly improve through games like this and also show the character of the team. We must learn from the last game against Huddersfield, understand where the problems were, find ways to improve and face the challenge against Mansfield with courage."  

"The team's reaction was outstanding. We had just lost to Tottenham Hotspur a few days before, and this victory helped us get out of that difficult time. We faced a strong team and I am satisfied with the team's performance against them. We must continue this positive state in the game against Mansfield. I like this type of game because it is real football and everyone in the team needs this kind of experience. Compared with the Premier League, this kind of game is more competitive and passionate, and the atmosphere is more enthusiastic. I really enjoy it."