Campbell free to play football after concluding Notts County contract spat

Sol Campbell is free to resume his playing career after finally agreeing to Notts County's gagging order.The former England defender left the League Two club by 'mutualconsent' in September, four weeks after signing a £10million, five-yearcontract. But the club refused to release his registration until heagreed to a 'statement of departure' preventing him talking publiclyabout his time at Meadow Lane.The former Portsmouth, Arsenal and Tottenham centre half has beenwidely tipped to join Championship high-flyers Newcastle but managerChris Hughton has a deal in place to take Sheffield United's MatthewKilgallon to the club in January.Free agent: CampbellCampbell's salary demands would also prove a stumbling block to anymove to St James' Park. Hughton works to a strict pay structure,imposed since the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League,and Campbell's reported £40,000-a-week wages at County are unlikely tobe matched.Rumours of a move to Newcastle have persisted since Campbell and hisfiancee Fiona Barratt, daughter of Geordie property tycoon Sir LaurieBarratt, purchased Hallington Hall in Northumberland in June.The 35-year-old called in PFA chief Gordon Taylor in an attempt toresolve the issue and now appears to have backed down. Taylor said:'Sol Campbell is now a free agent. His contract dispute has beenresolved and he is free to pursue football in the January transferwindow. He can sign for any club he wants.'Taylor refused to reveal the 'intricacies' of the settlement but admitted it had been 'delicate' to resolve.Campbell lasted 28 days at Meadow Lane after his former England bossSven Goran Eriksson persuaded him to join the long-term project. Hissolitary game ended in a 2-1 defeat at Morecambe and Campbell walkedout three days later on September 22.West Bromwich are also interested in Campbell, who was capped 73times by England, while Basle have stated their desire to sign thedefender. Chris Hughton denies Campbell is close to completing Newcastle dealSol desperate to clinch Newcastle move as he fights County gag order  Explore more:People:Sven Goran Eriksson, Matthew Kilgallon, Gordon TaylorPlaces:Newcastle, United Kingdom, St James' Park

Source: Daily_Mail