SIR Bobby Robson last night compared the signing of Patrick Kluivert to the record-breaking capture of Alan Shearer and insisted: "This will close the gap on the top three."

Newcastle's lengthy pursuit of the Dutch international finally came to an end yesterday when Kluivert signed a three-year deal to complete a free transfer from Spanish giants Barcelona.

The Magpies rocked the footballing world when they shelled out a world transfer record £15m to bring Shearer to St James' Park in July 1996.

And, while the capture of Kluivert did not involve such astronomical sums, Robson is confident it will have an equally explosive effect on the club's fortunes.

"I think Patrick will be one of the most significant signings Newcastle have made for many, many years," said Robson, who is continuing to track Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt.

"My gut reaction is that it's very similar to the feeling in the city when the club decided to bring Alan Shearer back home.

"Alan was a great signing for Newcastle United. We brought home a local boy and he made good.

"We've bought another dazzling player in Patrick. In a way he's similar to Alan - he's a big player and it's a great capture.

"We have finished behind Manchester United and Arsenal and they have had a deeper squad of players. But we hope this helps to close the gap.

"In some respects, they've had a slightly higher quality group of players. But the addition of Patrick to our squad helps to narrow the situation. Every signing we make narrows the gap."

Kluivert, who was born on the same day as fellow Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, made his Ajax debut at the age of 18 and scored the winning goal in the Champions League final at the end of his first season in the game.

He moved to AC Milan in 1997 but, after a disappointing spell at the San Siro, was sold to Barcelona just 12 months later.

His time at the Nou Camp brought him 88 goals in 181 games but, after falling out of favour last season, he was told to look for a new club earlier this summer.

That search has ended at Newcastle and Robson is confident Kluivert can rediscover the form that saw him finish as joint top-scorer at Euro 2000.

"He seems to have been around for so long that you think he must be 52," said Robson. "He's not 52, he's 28, but he's been playing at the highest level from a very young age.

"The next four years of his career could be the best four. If he looks at it like that then there's no reason why he shouldn't be very successful and become an icon here.

"He's one of the leading strikers in Europe - he has been since a boy. He's an international player of high repute and a player who's played for some of the top clubs."

Kluivert's arrival on Tyneside leaves Robson with something of a selection headache as he plans his side for next month's Premiership opener at Middlesbrough.

Shearer has spoken of his desire to play every game next season, Craig Bellamy insists he will be fit for the big kick-off, and Shola Ameobi has just signed a new five-year contract with the club.

But Robson is looking forward to having to make some tough decisions and insists that his strikeforce is as good as any in the Premiership.

"The headache is when you don't have players to choose from," he said. "We've got a terrific strikeforce at the club with Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy and Shola Ameobi also in the ranks. I think it's as good as any in the Premiership.

"We want to be among the big boys. We've been there for the last three years and we want to continue."

Kluivert and Shearer have worked together in the past - as part of Sky TV's coverage of the Champions League - and the Dutchman has previous experience of St James' Park, having scored in Barcelona's 2002 friendly win over Newcastle and their Champions League success later in the same season.

He is confident of striking up an instant rapport with his new strike partner and feels they can both benefit from his move to the North-East.

"I think Alan is a killer," said Kluivert, who will wear the number 11 shirt only recently vacated by Gary Speed. "It's a good feeling to be playing alongside somebody like Alan Shearer.

"I'm sure I can get back to my best form. My last year at Barcelona wasn't a top year, but that came because I had an injury and I lost my position.

"I'm feeling 100 per cent fit now and I'm happy to have joined Newcastle."

* Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana has agreed a one-year loan deal with former club Sporting Lisbon, with the option of a permanent switch next summer.

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