And since he turned up for his first training ground session looking like he was ready for a bout of Sumo wrestling, he has had a beef with those who say he should have kept in shape.
Yes he got married in the summer - but how many players get married and tell their clubs: "Sorry but I'm taking three months off".
Now he wants to walk straight into the team now he's supposedly got his shit together.
What does that say to the current crop of Toon defenders who have grafted all summer for the cause of Newcastle United FC?
He's kept Chris Houghton waiting to grace us with his presence ... I say do the same to him.
Sol Campbell: "Yes, I am nearly there and, for all those taking the Mickey out of me, it shows them up for what they are - the truth is I wasn't carrying that much flab in the first place.
"I had 60 minutes of good workout against Liverpool reserves and would think I am ready to step it up to 80 minutes with a game being arranged at St James' Park on Tuesday.
"I've trained every day, I've worked hard, and that's the key: hard work. I've never been afraid of hard work but, no matter how much training you do, you need the matches, and given the choice of training or a run out in the reserves, I was quite happy to turn out against a very young Liverpool reserve team.
"I'm shaping up well enough and keeping my promise that, when the Newcastle fans see me in the first team, they can judge me then."