Nolan completes Newcastle switch

Bolton have confirmed Kevin Nolan has joined Newcastle United for £4m on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The midfielder is seen as the ideal replacement for Joey Barton, who faces a long spell on the sidelines at Newcastle after breaking his foot.

"It was an opportunity which was impossible to turn down," Nolan told Newcastle's official website.

"He's got a good eye for goal and has got bags of Premier League experience," said Magpies boss Joe Kinnear.

Nolan spent 12 seasons at Bolton, scoring 50 goals in 345 first-team appearances.

He has featured in all of Bolton's 23 matches so far this season, scoring once.

And Kinnear believes his tenacity will help him become a big success at St James's Park.

"He's a player I think our fans will love," he said. "He's a real inspirational player and a great character. He's the sort of lad that never knows when he is beaten.

"I think he is going to be a very valuable player for us and someone who can help us climb back up the table."

Bolton boss Gary Megson made moves for a replacement for Nolan on Monday, when he signed midfielder Mark Davies from Wolves.