AN exclusive country home once owned by Newcastle United legend Kevin Keegan has been sold in a multi-million pound deal.

The mansion, on the Wynyard Hall estate, near Billingham, Teesside, had been on the market since August.

The guideline for offers was in excess of £2.5m.

Keegan, who became an icon on Tyneside during spells as both a player and manager, lived in the luxurious Wynyard Park property with his wife, Jean, and two daughters.

The two-storey home is on a 41-acre plot and features an impressive gate lodge, outbuildings and gardens.

It has a reception hall, drawing room, study, dining room, sitting room, breakfast kitchen, gym, conservatory, shower room, sauna, dog room, larder, laundry room and boot room.

There are also five bedrooms, four en suite bathrooms, a snooker room and an office, and a single-bedroom annex with a bathroom.

Estate agents Strutt and Parker confirmed the sale and said that there had been a wealth of interest in the property.

Former Newcastle chairman Sir John Hall bought the Wynyard Hall estate in 1987 after he sold the MetroCentre.

Sir John also bankrolled the famous Keegan era at Newcastle, seeing the Magpies come close to winning the Premiership title.

Keegan is now in charge at Manchester City.