Smith a new Magpie for £6m

ALAN SMITH said the time was right to embrace a new era at St James’ Park after signing a five-year deal with Newcastle yesterday for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £6 million (€8.9 million).

Smith revealed he had been close to a move to the north-east on a number of previous occasions but only now did he believe the future looked bright enough to complete the deal.

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.”