Former Magpies defender Jean-Alain Boumsong is on the verge of sealing a move to Greek side Panathinaikos after landing in Athens for a medical.

The move sees Boumsong reunited with France team-mates Djibril Cisse, the former Sunderland forward, and Sidney Govou.

Boumsong: “I have come here to win titles.

“I don’t want to say that I am a leader, I only want to do the best I can for my new new team.

“I am really happy to come to Panathinaikos. I know that I will be playing alongside Djibril and Sidney, and I’m happy about that.”