Smith leaves Man U for Newcastle

England forward Alan Smith joined Newcastle United from Premier League champions Manchester United on Friday in a five-year deal.

Smith, whose fee was estimated by the British media to be 6 million pounds, ended a three-year spell at Old Trafford, having joined from Leeds for 7 million.

Though popular with the fans, the 26-year-old failed to establish himself as a first-team regular and was at one stage deployed as a defensive midfielder.

He made 93 appearances for United, scoring 12 goals, and will link up with two other former Leeds players on Tyneside -- James Milner and Australia striker Mark Viduka, another new recruit.

Smith could make his debut in a friendly against Italian club Sampdoria on Sunday at St James' Park, Newcastle said on their web site (www.nufc.co.uk).

The striker is new manager Sam Allardyce's fifth pre-season signing after Viduka, midfielders Joey Barton and Cameroon's Geremi, and Czech defender David Rozenhal.