Sun shines at Newcastle

Jonathan Woodgate completed his £9m move from Leeds to Newcastle yesterday and his new manager, Sir Bobby Robson, was already looking ahead to making a big push for the Premiership title.

"In a way, he is the final piece of the jigsaw, but we mustn't lose our ambition," Robson said. "But I'm happy that we do seem to have got an exquisite squad, a squad that's got a real chance of challenging Arsenal and Manchester United." Newcastle are in second place, five points behind Arsenal, and a point ahead of United, who have a game in hand. Both clubs have yet to visit St James' Park.

Asked if Newcastle could win the title this season, Woodgate said: "I believe so, the position they're in. Why not?"

The 23-year-old central defender had some much-needed words of support for the Elland Road chairman, Peter Ridsdale. "He has had some stick he doesn't deserve," he said after signing a four-and-a-half-year contract. "He's an honourable man who looked after me during my court case, and I'd like to thank him."

Woodgate is recovering from a thigh injury and, if he does not make his debut against Arsenal next Sunday, his bow could come against Leeds at Elland Road on 22 February.

"I've been at Leeds since I was 13 and loved it there. I made some good friends there, but I've moved on now," he said.

Woodgate spoke frankly about the court case that almost wrecked his career, and insisted he had learned his lesson. "It's been the hardest time of my life," he admitted. "The court case was a bad time for me. I made mistakes, I've learnt from my mistakes. I'm not a racist player – ask Michael Chopra, Harpal Singh, Kieron Dyer. I'm not a racist, I'm black and white."

Sir Bobby admitted the character the player had shown to rebuild his career had been a factor in his decision to sign him. "We've signed him basically on footballing ability," he said.

"We knew the situation that he came through. He accepted the decision, he accepted his punishment, he paid his fine and he was full of remorse. He went through a difficult time in his career – in fact, he went through a time when he couldn't play, he couldn't face playing. That's how repentant he was and how difficult he found that particular time in his life.

"But he's come through it and I think that probably to leave Leeds United and come to another environment is a very good thing for him."

The Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, was delighted. "We've got the right player at the right money," he said. "Our signing of Woodgate compares favourably with the £30m Manchester United paid to Leeds for Rio Ferdinand just five months ago. In our humble opinion, Woodgate is as good as Ferdinand."