Newcastle have signed midfielder Jack Colback on a free transfer from north-east rivals Sunderland.
Colback, 24, has agreed a long-term deal at St James’ Park after his contract with the Black Cats expired.
“To come to the team I supported as a boy, my hometown team, will be really special for me,” said Colback.
Sunderland trained Colback from the age of eight and said the move left “a bitter taste” because they could not recoup their “significant investment”.
He becomes the first player since Lionel Perez in 1998 to leave Sunderland for the Magpies, although the likes of Titus Bramble, Paul Bracewell, Lee Clark and Barry Venison have represented both clubs.
In a statement, the Black Cats claimed they had “agreed to all of the terms demanded” by Colback and, at the player’s and his representatives’ request, put talks over his future on hold until the club’s Premier League status was secured.
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