Robert Lee: "I think the fans will be absolutely delighted. They need something to shout about as the club is a bit low at the moment, and it will be carnival time in Newcastle.

I think we will see similar scenes to when AlanShearer first came to the club (in 1996).

"Although I think he'll be disappointed if Michael gets more than the 20,000 that turned out to see him. But there'll be thousands there, and rightly so, and he'll be like a breath of fresh air at Newcastle.

"He'll also add some much-needed pace to the attack. Since Bellamy left they have not had the pace to get behind defences and Michael will certainly do that. He'll guarantee you 20 to 25 goals a season and Alan will guarantee you 20 goals a season."

Alan Kennedy: "They love their centre-forwards at Newcastle, in Alan Shearer, and even in my day with Malcolm Macdonald. Alan Shearer has been great throughout the years he has been there so Michael will be perfect to take the burden (of scoring) off him. And I think Michael will love it up there. It is a great place to play and they are fanatics in terms of watching their football.

"His record against Newcastle was quite prolific and what will be Liverpool's loss is Newcastle's gain.''

Bobby Moncur: "He's a class player but I would like to compliment Newcastle United and the chairman who have been under a lot of pressure lately. He, again, has managed to come up with the goods. I think it will be a good move for him. People say he wanted to go to Liverpool, well I can understand that, but now he has chosen Newcastle he will find he will be an instant hero. I think it will be a good career move for him because sometimes when you go back to your old club it's never the same."

Warren Barton: "I think it's great. The club and players have needed this and I think it will be exciting for the Premier League. The fans will adore him.

"People who play in the Premier League are great admirers of the Newcastle fans and the area. Until you've lived up there or played at St James' Park you don't really know the passion and feeling that the fans give to you as an individual. He knows what St James' Park is like and when it is jumping it is the best club ground in the country.''

Micky Quinn: "Newcastle fans will just worship the ground he walks on. I scored goals in a number nine shirt for Newcastle and every time I go back up there they worship the ground I walk on because I did well for them. And he will be a success because he has scored goals wherever he has been."

Phil Thompson:

''In a nutshell, he's been guaranteed that he will play at Newcastle - and that is the biggest thing, knowing Michael. He's had meetings with Rafa (Benitez) and I would think he said 'you will not play every week'.

''I think it is a good move for Michael because he will be playing and didn't play enough last season in Real's colours. He will be a success, because he will always score goals.''

Mark Lawrenson: "In a way I'm surprised and in another way I'm not surprised about Michael Owen opting for Newcastle.

"I always had my doubts about Michael going back to Liverpool because Rafael Benitez wants to play in a certain way. Tactically, Benitez really didn't want him.

"I do think this a fantastic coup for Newcastle, similar to when they signed Shearer from under the noses of Manchester United in 1996.''