Magpies land Milner
Newcastle have completed the signing of Leeds midfielder James Milner on a five-year deal worth up to £5m.
Milner had penned a new five-year deal at Elland Road only last year but agreed with a "heavy heart" to be sold to help the cash-strapped club.
His agent Mick McGuire said: "He's glad that the money his move has generated will help Leeds in the longer term.
"There has never been a more committed player to Leeds and he will always be a huge fan of the club."
McGuire, also the Professional Footballers' Association deputy chief executive, added: "He signed a five-year deal (with Leeds) last year, he bought a house in the area and his mum and dad have already renewed their season tickets for the coming season.
"However, it is common knowledge that, as part of Leeds' survival plans, they need to generate income from transfers.
"We appreciate their dilemma and understand their decision to let James go because the money this raises helps safeguard the future of the club.
"However, things have moved on since then and once Leeds agreed a fee with Newcastle and gave him permission to speak to Sir Bobby Robson, he felt that it was only fair and proper to talk to a club of that magnitude.
MILNER FACTFILE
1986: Born 4 Jan 1986, Leeds
2001: 1 Aug, joins Leeds as trainee
Summer 2002: Plays or England U17s
Nov 2002: Makes Leeds senior debut. Becomes second youngest player in Premiership behind Coventry's Gary McSheffrey
Dec 2002: Breaks Wayne Rooney's record as youngest scorer in Premiership at 16 years and 357 days
2004: 2 July signs for Newcastle on five-year deal
"James is excited about joining one of the premier clubs, who can offer him a major stage and European football."
McGuire also dismissed reports that Milner had already been offered a 100% pay increase to stay at Leeds.
He added: "It is important that I again stress that no discussions took place about a new contract for James, and I was surprised to read quotes from some very responsible people claiming they had offered to double his money.
"The reality is that talks were put on hold until Dave Richmond returned from holiday next week."
Milner is the second-youngest player to play in the Premiership behind Coventry's Gary McSheffrey.
At 16 and 309 days, he is the second-youngest ever player behind Leeds legend Peter Lorimer to have played senior football for the club.
The Horsforth teenager broke Wayne Rooney's record as the youngest-ever Premiership scorer by four days, aged just aged 16 and 357 days when he sealed a win for United at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in December 2002.
Newcastle have completed the signing of Leeds midfielder James Milner on a five-year deal worth up to £5m.
Milner had penned a new five-year deal at Elland Road only last year but agreed with a "heavy heart" to be sold to help the cash-strapped club.
His agent Mick McGuire said: "He's glad that the money his move has generated will help Leeds in the longer term.
"There has never been a more committed player to Leeds and he will always be a huge fan of the club."
McGuire, also the Professional Footballers' Association deputy chief executive, added: "He signed a five-year deal (with Leeds) last year, he bought a house in the area and his mum and dad have already renewed their season tickets for the coming season.
"However, it is common knowledge that, as part of Leeds' survival plans, they need to generate income from transfers.
"We appreciate their dilemma and understand their decision to let James go because the money this raises helps safeguard the future of the club.
"However, things have moved on since then and once Leeds agreed a fee with Newcastle and gave him permission to speak to Sir Bobby Robson, he felt that it was only fair and proper to talk to a club of that magnitude.
MILNER FACTFILE
1986: Born 4 Jan 1986, Leeds
2001: 1 Aug, joins Leeds as trainee
Summer 2002: Plays or England U17s
Nov 2002: Makes Leeds senior debut. Becomes second youngest player in Premiership behind Coventry's Gary McSheffrey
Dec 2002: Breaks Wayne Rooney's record as youngest scorer in Premiership at 16 years and 357 days
2004: 2 July signs for Newcastle on five-year deal
"James is excited about joining one of the premier clubs, who can offer him a major stage and European football."
McGuire also dismissed reports that Milner had already been offered a 100% pay increase to stay at Leeds.
He added: "It is important that I again stress that no discussions took place about a new contract for James, and I was surprised to read quotes from some very responsible people claiming they had offered to double his money.
"The reality is that talks were put on hold until Dave Richmond returned from holiday next week."
Milner is the second-youngest player to play in the Premiership behind Coventry's Gary McSheffrey.
At 16 and 309 days, he is the second-youngest ever player behind Leeds legend Peter Lorimer to have played senior football for the club.
The Horsforth teenager broke Wayne Rooney's record as the youngest-ever Premiership scorer by four days, aged just aged 16 and 357 days when he sealed a win for United at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in December 2002.
