NEWCASTLE UNITED'S new £8m defender Jean-Alain Boumsong has revealed he was wanted by the Magpies in the summer - and felt he couldn't turn down the Premiership outfit a second time.

Boumsong will be officially unveiled at St James' Park this morning and will make his first appearance in the FA Cup tie with non-league Yeading on Sunday.

The Frenchman claimed Sir Bobby Robson made a late bid for his services in the summer prior to his move to Glasgow, but feels the time is now right to move his career forward with Newcastle and Graeme Souness.

"In life, when opportunities come along, you have to grab them with both hands. Newcastle are one of the top clubs in England with enormous potential and, since everyone was happy with the deal, I accepted. But I must say leaving Rangers wasn't easy for me," he said.

"It was a very delicate decision because I'd enjoyed six magnificent months there and it was hard to say goodbye to such fantastic fans. I hope they don't hold it against me because, as I said, it was a deal which suited everyone.

"I was very happy in Glasgow and my departure had nothing to do with wanting to have a higher profile.

"Newcastle represents a terrific challenge. That's no criticism of the standard of Scottish football, which is just as physically challenging as the English game.

"It's just that Newcastle had made me one of their transfer window priorities and I was very flattered. When I met their people I got the impression they really wanted me and you can't ignore that. Now I hope I can repay their confidence."

Boumsong signed a five-year deal at Ibrox in the summer when he moved on a free transfer from Auxerre.

Rangers may have made a huge profit on the 25-year-old, who signed for nothing and made just 28 appearances, but manager Alex McLeish was upset at the departure.

Boumsong hopes the move will strengthen his international aspirations with the French national team.

"I signed a five-year contract with Rangers because I knew I needed time to progress. It's because I've done that quicker than I expected that now I find myself in Newcastle," said Boumsong, who has left Rangers after the club were knocked out of the UEFA Cup.

"Don't forget, either, that I got a lot of criticism when I joined Rangers because there were critics in France who thought I'd be buried in Scottish football. I think I've proved them wrong. Rangers helped me enormously, just as Auxerre had before.

"It's not my style to abandon a ship when it's rocking. I was very upset by our results in Europe but I didn't go to the directors to demand a transfer.

"I am looking forward to my first game at last for Newcastle (against Yeading in the FA Cup). There was an offer from Newcastle for me last year but I had already promised Rangers I would join them - and I am a man of my word."

Boumsong arrived on Tyneside with Chelsea full-back Celestine Babayaro, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, last week and the Nigerian will also make his debut against Yeading with doubts over the fitness of Andy O'Brien, Ronny Johnsen and Robbie Elliott.

Manager Graeme Souness is still on the look-out for another centre-back during this month's transfer window, although he has been told to 'keep his hands off' Jorge Andrade by Deportivo La Coruna.

There is still a slim chance that Sylvain Distin could return to the club but Newcastle would have to meet Manchester City's £5m-plus valuation.

Supporters can pay at the School End Turnstiles, which will open 1 hours prior to kick off on Sunday, with access from South Africa Road. The cost will be: adults £24, £14 concessions.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.