NOLBERTO Solano has revealed that he turned down a last-gasp opportunity to join Liverpool in order to become re-united with his beloved Newcastle number four shirt.

The Peruvian playmaker, who made 233 appearances during his first spell at St James' Park, sealed an emotional return to Tyneside when he signed a two-year deal just minutes before the transfer window slammed shut on Wednesday night.

A £1.5m move from Aston Villa looked to have been scuppered when Graeme Souness initially refused to let James Milner leave on loan for the rest of the season but, after Newcastle's fans had voiced their approval of the deal, the Magpies manager relented.

That was still not the end of the matter though, as Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made an 11th-hour attempt to hijack the deal as Solano was entering the final stages of his negotiations on Tyneside.

The 30-year-old had previously been linked with the European champions, and was given the option of a mad dash to Merseyside.

But after spending six seasons at St James' following a £2.5m move from Boca Juniors in 1998, he was ready for a return to the city he has come to regard as his English home.

"Once I knew Newcastle wanted me back, my mind was made up," said Solano, who will begin his second spell against Manchester City on September 24 after sitting out the final two games of a three-match ban.

"Liverpool came in for me at the last moment when their move for Simao Sabrosa collapsed, but I had already given the Newcastle people my word.

"Two weeks ago, when I heard about Liverpool, I was very excited. They are European champions and a very big club. Yes, it is true I wanted to go there, but then I never knew about Newcastle's interest.

"Liverpool are very special, very big and a very good club, but Newcastle are my club. To come back here is just incredible."

The feeling is clearly mutual. Even chairman Freddy Shepherd was moved to comment on the cries of "Nobby Solano" that punctuated Michael Owen's welcome party on Wednesday.

It is difficult to find a Newcastle fan who agreed with Sir Bobby Robson's decision to sell Solano last January, and it is even harder to find one opposed to his return.

"I was watching the Michael Owen signing and I heard what they were singing about me," said the South American, who has retired from international football since repeatedly rowing with Robson over trips to Peru. "It was a very special moment for me, but they must understand I love them too.

"It is a great feeling to be back at Newcastle. This is the club I have always loved. It has a place in my heart and, in one way, it feels as if I have never been away.

"I am so happy that the Newcastle people wanted me back and want to thank them for that.

"It will be great pulling on a black and white shirt again. I've been told that the number four shirt is still there and that makes it even better."

Newcastle were in the top four of the Premiership when Solano moved to the Midlands at the start of last year but, since then, the club's fortunes have suffered something of a nose-dive.

The likes of Gary Speed, Craig Bellamy, Laurent Robert and now Jermaine Jenas have flown the nest in that time as the Magpies have tumbled into the bottom half of the table.

Souness has addressed the decline with a number of big-money moves, capped by this week's acquisition of Solano and Owen, and the former is confident he can help spearhead a marked improvement.

"We had a great team when I left," said Solano, who will train with his new team-mates for the first time on Monday when they return from this week's trip to Spain.

"We had three seasons of being in the top six and the football was very exciting.

"But, on paper, this team has the potential to become even better. We must be given time to gel, but the signings are exciting.

"Everyone knows about Michael Owen - he is a special player - but Emre is a footballer I have always admired and (Albert) Luque is good too.

"Scott Parker is already showing the fans how good he will be at Newcastle and I can't wait to be playing alongside players like that."

Meanwhile, Souness has slammed suggestions that Milner's time on Tyneside has come to an end. "James still has a big future with Newcastle United," he said. "He's only 19 and he's not quite ready for us yet.

"I fully expect him to come back to Newcastle ready to challenge for a place in the team."