NEWCASTLE have completed the signing of Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton for a fee of £5.8million.

The 24-year-old asked for permission to speak to Newcastle last week after both the Magpies and West Ham submitted bids of £5.5million or more.

Newcastle followed up their initial bid with an improved £5.8million offer today, which has been accepted by the Blues.

City had originally agreed to a £5.5m fee, but Barton was holding out for a £300,000 'loyalty bonus' which Newcastle effectively paid by upping their bid to £5.8m

Barton admitted his mind was made up quickly once he arrived at Newcastle.

He said: "I am delighted to be here. As soon as it came to speaking to people at Newcastle, it became clear they have the desire and ambition to succeed.

"The people I am going to work with have the ambitions to match mine and I hope this is the start of a successful era for myself and the club.

"I have always admired Sam from afar. The job he did at Bolton was just phenomenal.

"Now I have got the opportunity to work with him. It was great to speak to him and know he rates me as a player. "

Allardyce was thrilled to have landed a player he believes will be a major addition to his squad.

He said: "It's a great coup for me and this football club to get a player of such outstanding talent, something he has proven over the last four years at Manchester City.

"He is a central midfielder with all-round ability. He can defend, pass the ball and, most importantly, score goals."

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