London, Jun 29 (IANS): 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.