Newcastle United Football Club News

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

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

Kinnear sad to see Given go

02 Feb 2009 - 07:05:06

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Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear has admitted to being sad to see experienced goalkeeper Shay Given leave the club after more than a decade of service.

The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international has joined Manchester City for an undisclosed fee, having felt the time was right to finally leave Tyneside.

Kinnear commented: "I'm really sorry to see Shay go. He's been a fantastic professional and a great lad to work with.

"We bent over backwards to try and keep him at Newcastle United and offered him a longer contract to stay at the club.

"He's been with Newcastle United for a long time and has been a great servant.

"But he felt the time was right to move on and so, realistically, we had no choice but to reluctantly agree to allow him to make this move.

"I wish him and his family all the very best for the future."

Given made more than 450 appearances for Newcastle, having arrived at St James' Park in the summer of 1997 for £1.5million from Blackburn Rovers.