NEWCASTLE United have signed winger Wayne Routledge from QPR for an undisclosed fee which is believed to be around £1m.

Routledge signed a three-and-a-half year deal at St James' Park this morning, and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's home game with Crystal Palace.

His move to the Magpies represents a considerable blow to Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan, who had been hoping to sign Routledge himself this month.

Instead, the 25-year-old will wear the Newcastle number ten shirt after leaving Loftus Road to end a 12-month association with QPR.