Gosling joins Newcastle from Everton

Newcastle completed their controversial signing of England Under-21 midfielder Dan Gosling from Everton on Thursday.

Gosling agreed a four-year deal after the newly-promoted Premier League club exploited a loophole in the youngster’s contract at St James’ Park to land him on a free transfer.

The 20-year-old rejected Everton’s offer of an improved two-year deal when his current contract expired last season and that meant he was able to join the club of his choice because the Toffees’ did not put the new offer in writing.

Because players under 20 are not allowed to sign five-year contracts, Everton gave Gosling a three-year deal when they bought him from Plymouth in 2008, with what the club say was a verbal undertaking to extend it by two years on substantially improved terms.

Everton could have earned around four million pounds by selling Gosling and are believed to be stunned by the player’s decision to quit Goodison Park.

Gosling, who burst onto the scene with an FA Cup winner for Everton against Liverpool in 2009, told Newcastle’s website: “It’s a brilliant move for me. Now that the deal is done I just can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve played at St. James’ Park before and know all about the amazing atmosphere.

Playing there in a black and white shirt is something I’ve thought about already and it will be a great day when I finally get to walk out in front of 50,000 people.”

However, Newcastle fans won’t see Gosling in action for a while as he is currently recovering from a serious knee injury and is unlikely to be fit for several months.