Veteran defender Sol Campbell has joined Newcastle United on a one-year deal.
The former England international was released by Arsenal at the end of last season and joined the newly promoted Magpies as a free agent.
Newcastle fended off interest from local rivals Sunderland and Scottish Premier outfit Celtic who were both keen on signing the 35-year-old.
“At this stage of my career I couldn’t have wished for a better move,” said Campbell on the official Newcastle website.
“To join a club such as Newcastle, with its proud tradition, heritage and magnificent support, is absolutely tremendous for me”.
Campbell was manager Chris Hughton’s third new signing of the summer after the arrivals of Everton defender Dan Gosling and Nottingham Forest midfielder James Perch.
“I have known Sol since he was a lad and am fully aware of what he has to offer,” stated Hughton, who was a coach at Tottenham Hotspur when Campbell was a rising star at White Hart Lane.
“He’s a dedicated professional, a terrific addition to the squad and I look forward to working with him again”
Campbell is a timely signing as Hughton waits to find out the extent of central defender Steven Taylor’s shoulder injury.
Taylor will definitely miss the beginning of the new season but there are concerns he could be out action for several months.
Campbell made 11 appearances for Arsenal last season after joining them in January following an ill-fated spell at Notts County, for whom he made just one appearance before leaving Meadow Lane in September.
It was the second time he signed for the Gunners, having joined them in 2001 in a controversial switch from north London rivals Spurs.
Campbell won two Premier League titles along with three FA Cups with Arsenal and also went on to win the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008.
Campbell won 73 caps for England, scoring one goal.
