Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Barton explains Tyne move

06 Jun 2007 - 14:49:20

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Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has spoken about his reasons for deciding to join Newcastle United in a £5.5million deal.

West Ham United had also been keen to land the 24-year-old England international, but the Magpies appear to have won the race, with Barton having agreed terms and passed a medical at St James' Park.

Barton told the Evening Chronicle: "I have given my word to Newcastle United and that's where I hope I will be going.

"Everybody knows they are a club of great history and tradition, but what has also been great for me is that they have pushed the boat out for me, and both Freddy Shepherd and Sam Allardyce have made me feel so wanted.

"I am not proud of some of the things I have done and that I have brought a lot of my problems on myself. But I want to be a winner, not only for myself but for the fans.

"I have heard it said that footballers are all about flash cars and expensive watches, but for me it's all about winning medals and it hurts me that I haven't any."