Owen's Date At St James' Park - Today 1pm

St James's Park will also be opened for fans to welcome Owen at 1pm.

Graeme Souness, who had earlier jetted out to Malaga with those members of his squad not on international duty for a training camp, said: "He's the current England number nine and this club has had a history of wonderful centre-forwards over the years.

"He's someone who can become a legend with Newcastle United fans. In football, the hardest thing to get in your team is someone who puts the ball in the back of the net, and Michael is the best at doing that for England.

"I can understand people who liken it to the signing of Alan Shearer as Michael is the current England number nine. I'd say it's the biggest transfer I've been involved in as a manager of any football club."