A Newcastle United fan has been stabbed three times by a group of hooded men in Italy.

The club said it is “deeply concerned” after a 58-year-old supporter was knifed twice in the arm and once in the back on Monday night in Milan.

Thousands of Magpies fans have travelled to the Italian city ahead of Newcastle’s match against AC Milan on Tuesday.

The Northern Echo: A view of the San Siro Stadium in Milan, ahead of the UEFA Champions League, Group F match between AC Milan and Newcastle UnitedA view of the San Siro Stadium in Milan, ahead of the UEFA Champions League, Group F match between AC Milan and Newcastle United (Image: PRESS ASSOCIATION)

A spokesperson for Milan Police told the PA news agency: “The incident took place about midnight in the neighbourhood of Navigli which is populated with bars.

“A police patrol came across the incident, which involved seven or eight people wearing hooded sweatshirts. We are still searching for these people.

“A supporter of Newcastle, who is 58 years old, suffered two slight wounds to his arms and one a little bit deeper on his back. He was sent to the Policlinico Hospital and is expected to be discharged later today.

“DIGOS (Divisione Investigazioni Generali e Operazioni Speciali), the branch which deals with football supporters, is investigating, but at this moment it is not clear if this is related to football or something else because no emblems were visible.”

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Pictures posted online showed a man with a bloodied torso lying on the ground.

A Newcastle United spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned by reports that a supporter was seriously assaulted in Milan on Monday evening and we are liaising with local authorities to understand the circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with the supporter and their family and we hope for a full and speedy recovery.”