Premier League: Sol Campbell poised to join Newcastle United
One year after he stunned English football by joining League Two side Notts County, Sol Campbell has once again opted to become a Magpie, swapping the red of Arsenal for black and white.
But following his ill-fated two-month spell with the minnows, the defender certainly won’t be returning to Meadow Lane anytime soon. Instead, it’s recently promoted Premier League side Newcastle who are set to seal the former England international’s services.
The 35-year-old rejoined Arsenal at the start of the year after proving his fitness to Gunners boss Arsène Wenger, and didn’t let his old manager down with a series of commanding performances, which left him on the verge of a surprise call-up to England’s 2010 World Cup squad.
However, after failing to agree a contract extension at the Emirates Stadium, Campbell will have a medical at St James’ Park today before signing for the north-east club on a free transfer.
Despite his aging years, a host of clubs were desperate to sign the experienced central-defender, including Celtic and Sunderland. But it’s Newcastle who have lured Campbell with a lucrative two-year contract, as they bid to bolster their defensive options ahead of their season opener against Manchester United on August 16th.
By signing Campbell, Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has brought in a leader, who’ll be assigned the duty of marshalling the Magpies’ defence. When the club were relegated in May 2009, their suspect back four was the underlying reason behind their failure to avoid the drop.
Hughton is determined to avoid a similar turn of events on their first season back in the top flight, and is also keen for Campbell to fill the void left by talismanic centre-back Steven Taylor, who is expected to miss the first six weeks with a shoulder injury.
It’s a significant coup for Newcastle, and a real statement of intent. Hughton will now hope that the capture of Campbell will encourage one or two others to sign for the club before the transfer window shuts in early September.
He may not be as dynamic as he once was, but Campbell is still capable of keeping up with the Premier League’s young guns, as he proved against Tottenham’s Gareth Bale last season. With a tremendous ability to read the game and organise those around them, the 35-year-old promises to be a valuable asset for Newcastle during the forthcoming campaign – providing he can keep himself fit.
Following the capture of Everton midfielder Dan Gosling on a free transfer earlier this month, Hughton has now made his second shrewd signing of the summer.
And thousands of loyal Geordies will be hoping their manager’s forward-thinking will hold them in good stead to retain their Premier League status at the end of the season.
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