JAMES Perch is delighted to have put his play-off misery behind him by becoming Newcastle United’s first summer signing ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Perch penned a four-year deal at St James’ Park yesterday after agreeing to leave Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee which is understood to be around £1m.

The versatile 24-year-old, whose contract at the City Ground was due to expire next summer, suffered play-off heartbreak two months ago as Forest lost out to eventual winners Blackpool at the semi-final stage.

However, he will realise his ambition of appearing in the Premier League next month after Magpies manager Chris Hughton agreed a deal to take him to the North-East.

“We faltered at the last hurdle with Forest, but it’s brilliant to be a Premier League player now,” said Perch, who made more than 200 first-team appearances for Forest after joining as a trainee in 2003.

“Hopefully, I can get some games under my belt and get training with the lads.

“The aura around the place is massive.

“The players they have got here – to have got relegated and then come straight back up shows great courage.”

Perch came close to joining Newcastle in January, only for Forest to reject the Magpies’ initial offer of around £750,000.

Hughton was disappointed to have missed out at that stage, but was quick to renew his attempts to secure a deal after Forest failed to achieve promotion in May.

JAMES Perch is delighted to have put his play-off misery behind him by becoming Newcastle United’s first summer signing ahead of their return to the Premier League.