Barnes plays to new Toon

John Barnes has joined Newcastle on a two-year contract

John Barnes has joined Newcastle on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old midfielder moves from Liverpool on a free transfer and will link up with his old manager Kenny Dalglish. The deal was announced in a statement to the stock exchange which said: "The Board of Newcastle United announces that John Barnes, who has been offered a free transfer by Liverpool Football Club, has signed a two-year contract with Newcastle United. No transfer fee is payable to Liverpool."

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • What’s making headlines in the rugby world? Listen to The Counter Ruck podcast with Nathan Johns

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered to your phone