CRAIG BELLAMY last night signed for Blackburn Rovers, and couldn't resist one last parting shot at Newcastle manager Graeme Souness.

The 25-year-old Wales international has been on his way out of St James' Park and, at loggerheads with Souness, since January, when he called his manager a liar after being left out of the side at Arsenal.

He was farmed out to Celtic on loan, and the threat of him returning to training with his Magpies' team-mates this month seemed to galvanise all parties into finalising a £5m move away from Tyneside.

Celtic, Everton, Birmingham and Aston Villa were all interested in acquiring his undoubted talents, but it was the lure of working with former Wales manager Mark Hughes that swung it the way of Blackburn.

After Bellamy had completed a medical and signed a four-year deal at Ewood Park, he admitted he still found it difficult to accept he would not be playing for the Magpies again.

"To play for Newcastle was a massive honour for me," said Bellamy, whom Sir Bobby Robson signed from Coventry City for £6m in June 2001.

"That's why it took so long for me to move to a new club. I really enjoyed my time at Newcastle - I loved the fans.

"It took me a while to accept I wouldn't be playing for them again."

Bellamy, however, was in no mood to admit he was the instigator of his move away, and insisted his reputation as a trouble-maker was unfounded.

He reiterated that he was held in high regard by all the managers he worked with - except one.

''If someone labels you, it is very hard to shake it off,'' said the player who scored 42 goals in 128 appearances for Newcastle.

''I know about my reputation, it is the first thing people think about. I did get myself into little scrapes when I was younger and a bit stupid, but there is only one manager (Souness) I have worked under who ever spoke a bad word about me.

''Sir Bobby Robson has recommended me to every club who has asked, which I couldn't thank him enough for. Mark Hughes has signed me, so he can't think there is an issue and it is the same with Gordon Strachan at Celtic.

''It is tough to accept I have left Newcastle because I really enjoyed my time there and to have the backing of those fans is incredible.

''But certain people made it clear there was no way back, so I have to move on.

''All I want to do now is prove my temperament is not a problem and get people talking about my football again.''

Bellamy will be lining up with another controversial Wales international, Robbie Savage, in the Rovers side, but believes he will have to force his way into the first team.

"I've got to play well and have to win my place,'' he said. "Just because I have been bought doesn't mean I will play straight away. I have to earn the right."

Bellamy was repeatedly played out of position on the left by Souness - one of the major reasons behind him falling out with the 51-year-old Scot - but said he had been given no assurances by Hughes he would be played as a central striker.

The Cardiff-born striker, however, refused to criticise Souness by name, saying ''I'm not getting into any slanging matches.''

He was again told at the weekend he would not be welcome back at St James' Park with the player expecting to train on Monday morning with his old team-mates following his loan spell at Celtic.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd sanctioned a week's extension to his summer break in a bid to broker a move away from Tyneside, but Souness made it clear he would not work with Bellamy again.

Whilst Strachan was still hoping the player would make a permanent move to Parkhead, the chance to team up with former Wales trio Hughes, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki proved irresistible.

And with a degree of harmony breaking out at the Newcastle end, Shepherd admitted he was glad the episode was finally over.

''It has been a difficult time for everyone concerned, but Craig has now completed his move to Blackburn Rovers,'' said Shepherd. ''We wish him all the best at his new club.''

On the day Bellamy departed, the Magpies used all the fee they received to lodge an official bid for Inter Milan midfielder Emre.

If all goes to plan the former Galatasaray player should arrive on Tyneside early next week.

Shepherd said: "We have been talking to the player with Inter's permission and we have now tabled an offer.

"We are now waiting for Inter to come back to us with their response."

Souness flew to Turkey last month for talks with the 24-year-old who, along with a striker, are the Scot's top two targets ahead of the start of the new season.

l Newcastle trio Robbie Elliott, Tony Caig and Michael Chopra have signed new one-year deals.

l Darren Ambrose is in talks with Charlton Athletic over a £1m move to the Valley.

l Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has admitted he is still keen to sign Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer - even though the player rejected a move to St Andrews three weeks ago.

Bowyer turned down the chance to join the Blues because, according to club co-owner David Sullivan, he feared a backlash from the city's Asian community.

Bruce, however, admitted: ''I'd still like to try and do something. Lee is a player I admire. Whether he remains available or not, I'm not sure.

''It's two or three weeks since we last had a conversation with Lee and we will have to wait and see what develops. Lee is a very good footballer.

"Yes, he's had his problems which have been well documented but I am sure he would add something to us. It's as a footballer I'm interested in him.''