COBHAM, ENGLAND - Chelsea's Nigerian defender Celestine Babayaro is to join struggling Newcastle United when the January transfer window opens on Saturday, the two Premier League soccer clubs said today.
No details were given on the deal which under which Chelsea's longest-serving player will leave after 7-1/2 years and 197
appearances for the league leaders.
The 26-year-old left back joins a Newcastle side whose defensive weaknesses have left them 14th in the table, with new manager Graeme Souness determined to bring in new faces.
"It was a decision for the player not for us," Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said.
"The decision was in relation to Babayaro's future, and what was best for his future and his career.
"We will miss him as a player and especially as a person.
"Babayaro was at the end of his contract and we were not ready to give him a 3-1/2 year contract. The boy deserves a good future," added Mourinho, whose prefers to play William Gallas or Wayne Bridge on the left.
Babayaro, recruited by Ruud Gullit in 1997, has been a bit-player at Stamford Bridge recently. Under Mourinho's predecessor Claudio Ranieri he made only 14 appearances in all competitions last season and Mourinho started him only four times this season.
A Newcastle spokesman would not confirm the duration of Babayaro's contract, saying it was of "medium-term length".
Only bottom club West Bromwich Albion have a worse defensive record than Newcastle in the Premier League, with the Tynesiders conceding 38 goals in their 20 games.
They have not won in the league since beating promoted Crystal Palace 2-0 on November 20, following up with three defeats and three draws.
- REUTERS
