ALAN Smith has completed his move to Newcastle after signing a five-year deal at St James' Park.
Smith was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and the Reds accepted a fee of £6million.
Smith said: “I’ve had the opportunity to come here a few times and I just felt this time was the right time.
“I felt that with what the gaffer is doing and the new owners the club has got a lot more stability.”
The 26-year-old admitted it was a tough decision to leave United but he realised his first team chances would be limited with the imminent arrival at Old Trafford of Carlos Tevez.
Smith added: “I decided that if you are going to stay at a club and fight your place you need the opportunity to do that.
“I felt I’d been limited. It was a big decision but I’m really looking forward to the new challenge.”
The former Leeds player’s time with the Premier League champions was affected by injury and he managed only 93 appearances, scoring 12 goals.
Smith follows Giueseppe Rossi out of the exit door, with the young forward having joined Villarreal earlier this week.
Are United right to let go of Smith? Have your say.
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edinburgh red, edinburgh (02/08/2007 at 13:51)
edinburgh red, edinburgh (02/08/2007 at 13:55)
Mick, Dublin (02/08/2007 at 13:57)
If Smith does join the bar-codes today and we DON'T sign another striker this week, we will be in serious trouble...
Bertie Pink Nose , Eastlands , Stockport (02/08/2007 at 14:01)
salfordite (02/08/2007 at 14:01)
A Mancunian, Manchester (02/08/2007 at 14:02)
Sterling, Salford (02/08/2007 at 14:06)
bobbydazzler (02/08/2007 at 14:09)
Hilton (02/08/2007 at 14:15)
Smiffy, I never rated as a ManU player. He has to go.
How he even got to play for England, I don't know. Any wonder why England are also runs in world football?
Dan (02/08/2007 at 14:16)
Fredrik, Sweden (02/08/2007 at 14:20)
RANDYRED (02/08/2007 at 14:24)
You woman,never mind these world class so called players citeh have scored ive never heard of any of them.
Oh im sure citeh will be chanting out with sven and what a load of rubbish as usual.
Drew Skaners, Macc (02/08/2007 at 14:25)
They should compliment each other nicely.
Hilton (02/08/2007 at 14:25)
Alan Smith made the decision easy for SAF really.
How would Ronaldo look at Alan Smith in the dressing room. He should go for being a poor, below average player alone but for cheating with your team mate's girlfriend showed Alan had no honour and to be a pest. I am afraid this guy is no good and has no honour he's got to go.
Duncan, London (02/08/2007 at 14:25)
Hilton (02/08/2007 at 14:25)
Alan Smith made the decision easy for SAF really.
How would Ronaldo look at Alan Smith in the dressing room. He should go for being a poor, below average player alone but for cheating with your team mate's girlfriend showed Alan had no honour and to be a pest. I am afraid this guy is no good and has no honour he's got to go.
red1969 (02/08/2007 at 14:26)
Of course this could not happen in the real world.
Mick, Dublin (02/08/2007 at 14:43)
Sean, NYXMC (02/08/2007 at 14:46)
bobbydazzler (02/08/2007 at 14:58)
BLUE MONKEY, STH MANCHESTER GHETTO (02/08/2007 at 15:01)
Croatian Corluka arrives from Dinamo Zagreb for £7m, Spanish full-back Javi Garrido has joined from Real Sociedad for £1.5million, and Brazilian Elano has come from Shakhtar Donetsk for £8m.
Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov should also be signed up by tomorrow
BLUE MONKEY, STH MANCHESTER GHETTO (02/08/2007 at 15:05)
your a typical "red rag" slagging smith off and he not even gone, short memory you inbasile dont you rmber the Roma Game....tut tut tut
phil (02/08/2007 at 15:13)
ChrisMUFC9000, Dublin, Ireland (02/08/2007 at 15:19)
Mick, Dublin (02/08/2007 at 15:27)
I'm not usually a spelling nazi but if you're gonna call someone else an imbecile, you REALLY should try and spell the word correctly, or risk achieving the exact opposite of what you intended...