DUFF SIGNS FOR £10M
.
The Republic of Ireland winger passed a medical on Tyneside, while the first team were on their way back from Norway after beating Lillestrom to book their place in the UEFA Cup.
Duff has signed a five-year contract at St James' Park, and although Liverpool and Tottenham were understood to be willing to pay the same money (believed to be in the region of £10million), Mourinho didn't want the player to go to a side he feels could be challenging him for the Premiership, or to his near neighbours.
Earlier in the day, and before the medical had been completed, Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder told Setanta Sports 2: "I can't tell you how pleased I am about getting a player of that quality.
"I would think it will excite our fans as well. I played for Newcastle - admittedly a long time ago - but we had the likes of Chrissy Waddle playing in that team that I played in and (the fans) love ball-players who can go past players and get crosses in and Damien is that type of player."
Duff was a £17million signing from Blackburn in 2003.