Dozens of fans gathered outside St James' Park in the hope of catching a glimpse of their new hero.
Others queued in the club shop to buy the No 10 United shirts with Owen blazoned across the back.
Self-employed plasterer Jimmy Gibson, 36, from Gateshead, who was with his two sons, Lee, 13, and 12-year-old Ryan, said: ''We are absolutely ecstatic and over the moon.
''I think we've got a good chance now of finishing fourth in the Premiership as Owen's move will lift the whole club.
''All we need to do now is get Emre (Belozoglu) and Kieron Dyer fit again and get rid of (Jermaine) Jenas because he clearly doesn't want to play for us.''
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