<h1>Viduka to sign for Newcastle</h1> </p><div><p id="storyfullparagraphentete">Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka has agreed to join local rivals Newcastle United in principle.</p></div> Viduka had been linked with a lucrative approach from Steve Bruce at Birmingham, while Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp had voiced his hope that Viduka, 31, would move to the south coast.</p> The Australia international moved to the Riverside Stadium in 2004 after four years at Leeds United. He helped the West Yorkshire club to the semi-finals of the Champions League in his time at Elland Road then saw Boro to the UEFA Cup final a year ago.</p> Newcastle recently installed manager Sam Allardyce at St James' Park. The former Bolton boss is set to make Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton his first signing while Wanderers' Israel international Tal Ben Haim is expected to join the Magpies.</p> Antoine Sibierski has already been shipped out from the North East, with Scott Parker soon to follow.</p> Newcastle are yet to confirm that Viduka has signed a deal with the club.</p> </p> </p> </p> Good move by Newcastle. Viduka will join Emre and Owen and hope to move higher in the EPL standings next season. Hopefully Owen stays healthy. </p> </p>
