Nolan completes Newcastle switch

Nolan delighted to join Newcastle

Bolton have confirmed Kevin Nolan has joined Newcastle United for £4m on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The midfielder is seen as the ideal replacement for Joey Barton, who faces a long spell on the sidelines at Newcastle after breaking his foot.

"It was an opportunity which was impossible to turn down," Nolan told Newcastle's official website.

"He's got a good eye for goal and has got bags of Premier League experience," said Magpies boss Joe Kinnear.

Nolan spent 12 seasons at Bolton, scoring 50 goals in 345 first-team appearances.

606: DEBATE He has been brilliant for Bolton on the field and off the field, I know he loves Bolton to bits and will be gutted to leave us andyish

He has featured in all of Bolton's 23 matches so far this season, scoring once.

And Kinnear believes his tenacity will help him become a big success at St James's Park.

"He's a player I think our fans will love," he said. "He's a real inspirational player and a great character. He's the sort of lad that never knows when he is beaten.

Kinnear waits on transfer movement

"I think he is going to be a very valuable player for us and someone who can help us climb back up the table."

BBC Sport understands Kinnear is also close to securing the signing of Wigan's Ryan Taylor.

Bolton boss Gary Megson made moves for a replacement for Nolan on Monday, when he signed midfielder Mark Davies from Wolves.