NEWCASTLE United's new Portuguese starlet Hugo Viana is confident he can live up to his billing as "the best young player in the world''.

The 19-year-old midfielder arrived on Tyneside yesterday for his first training session with the Magpies three weeks after completing a surprise £8.5m move from Sporting Lisbon.

Viana's burgeoning reputation was forged by his performances for Portugal in this summer's European Under-21 Championships in Switzerland, where he helped to destroy England.

United manager Bobby Robson made a personal trip to watch Viana in April in Portugal's senior friendly victory over Brazil, and then sent chief scout Charlie Woods to run the rule over him in the Under-21 tournament.

The rave reports were sufficient to convince former Sporting coach Robson that Viana was worth the money.

United chairman Freddy Shepherd, who fought hard to beat off rival interest from Liverpool, Juventus and Celta Vigo to land Viana, said on completion of the deal: "The general consensus is that he is the best young player in the world at the moment.''

Viana won a late call-up to Portugal's World Cup squad, but played no part in his country's dismal Far-East campaign.

He is Newcastle's third most costly signing after £15m skipper Alan Shearer and £9.5m winger Laurent Robert, and admits he will feel the weight of expectation when the new season comes round.

But as he prepares to make his United debut on the pre-season tour of Holland starting this weekend, he insists: "If I didn't believe in my ability, I would never have signed for a club like Newcastle.

"I know the responsibility I am taking on in representing this club.

"I will be a bit anxious at first, but I'm confident I will not disappoint anyone at St. James' Park.

"I know I will be playing for one of the best teams in England in the best league in Europe, and I am sure I will learn a lot from Bobby Robson and develop into the player he expects me to be.''

Viana is keeping mum while he is on Tyneside - literally.

His mother has accompanied him to make sure he doesn't miss his favourite home cooking.

* Newcastle Reserves will play their home games at Gateshead Stadium next season.

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