Newcastle Confirm Babayaro Transfer

By Matthew Jones
December 30 2004

Celestine Babayaro will join Newcastle United on January 1 2005 for an undisclosed sum, the club have confirmed. The Chelsea defender will be able to play for the Magpies' as of Tuesday January 4th.

Babayaro is Chelsea’s longest serving professional having joined the London club in 1997 from Anderlecht - for what was then thier record fee for a teenager - £2.25m.

Now aged 26, the Nigerian international would have been out of contract at the end of the season.

Under FAPL rules, Babayaro will not be available for selection until January 4. He could well make his debut vs Yeading in the FA Cup.

He also qualifies to appear in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup for Newcastle United.

A Newcastle spokesman confirmed: "The player will be transferred for an undisclosed fee on 1 January.

"He also qualifies to appear in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup, the latter being because although nominated as a substitute, he has not taken the field for Chelsea in European competition this season."

THE OFFICIAL NEWCASTLE WEBSITE SAYS THAT: Newcastle United record their thanks to everybody involved at Chelsea for their co-operation and goodwill.