Bowyer agrees Magpies deal

Lee Bowyer will face a medical when he returns from holiday

Newcastle have agreed terms with Lee Bowyer over a four-year contract at St James' Park.

The England midfielder's representatives have been in talks with Newcastle for much of the week, though Aston Villa had threatened to steal Bowyer in a last-minute deal.

Arsenal and Chelsea were also linked with the player.

But manager Sir Bobby Robson and chairman Freddy Shepherd flew to London to meet Bowyer face-to-face and tie up the deal on Thursday.

Newcastle are believed to have offered a contract worth an estimated £30,000 per week.

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Shepherd told BBC Radio Five Live: "We're all really pleased with the new addition. He's a great player and we believe we can get even more out of him at Newcastle.

"We were impressed by what he had to say on the football and Bobby Robson and feel he is a great addition to the midfield."

Magpies boss Robson is a known admirer of the mercurial star, despite his many off-field problems.

Shepherd, however, insisted Bowyer's past would cause no problems with his the fans.

The Newcastle chairman said: "Newcastle fans always get behind their players and support the club. He'll be no different to any other player."

Bowyer's move to St James' Park sets up a reunion with former Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate.

But Bowyer will miss a large part of United's Champions League campaign as he serves a six-match European ban for stamping on Malaga midfielder Gerardo last season.

Lee Bowyer profile

Newcastle were linked with Bowyer when he left Leeds in January, though the player was keen to join West Ham, the club he supported as a boy.

But Bowyer made it clear that he would only sign a long-term deal at Upton Park if the club retained their Premiership status.

Last season, he was close to a move to Liverpool, but a reported £9m deal collapsed when Bowyer failed to agree personal terms with Reds boss Gerard Houllier.