NEWCASTLE United chairman Freddy Shepherd has fired an angry parting shot at Sylvain Distin and accused Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan of paying "silly money'' for the French defender.

City yesterday completed the £4m signing of Distin after he had failed to agree terms with United at the end of his eight-month loan from Paris St. Germain.

The 24-year-old centre-back or left-back priced himself out of a permanent move to St. James' Park by reputedly demanding a £25,000-a-week deal.

Newcastle had agreed a £3.8m fee with PSG and Shepherd stressed they offered Distin "a very generous'' deal.

Former United boss Keegan swooped when the move stalled and Distin has signed a four-year contract with the Maine Road club.

But Shepherd believes his motives are "purely mercenary'' and that he is placing greed before ambition.

United beat off reported interest from Bolton when they lured Distin, whose form for the Magpies also subsequently attracted the attention of Liverpool, Blackburn and Olympiakos.

But Shepherd insisted: "When we brought him to England, no other club was interested in him.

"We agreed a fee with PSG and the agreement was that we had first refusal on him.

"Distin was perfectly happy with the wages we offered him and he had a regular place in the side.

"We were aware that one or two clubs had been alerted to his ability and were prepared to pay silly money to lure him away from Newcastle. That's when his agent got involved. We made a very generous offer but weren't going to be held to ransom.

"The prospect of playing in the Champions' League for a club established in the top four of the Premiership was enough to convince top internationals like Kieron Dyer and Shay Given that it was in their best interests to contract themselves long-term.

"No disrespect to Man. City, but they are a newly-promoted club whose first job is to avoid relegation.

"Distin has turned his back on the elite European competition and the reason is purely mercenary.''

City's director of football, former Sunderland star Dennis Tueart, said: "We looked at bringing Sylvain here before Christmas.

"But then we were in the First Division and he was understandably looking for a Premiership deal, and went to Newcastle.

"But when it was clear Newcastle were not going to take up their option on the player, Kevin Keegan moved very quickly and we are delighted.''

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