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Smith is seeking a fresh start at Newcastle United

Newcastle United have completed a �6m deal to sign Manchester United's England striker Alan Smith.

Smith, 26, has agreed a five-year contract and trained with his new team-mates on Friday.

Newcastle fought off competition from several clubs to sign Smith, who had been told he would not be offered a new deal at Old Trafford.

Boss Sam Allardyce is now reported to be pondering a last-ditch bid to sign Wigan defender Leighton Baines.

Smith said after signing: "The biggest thing for me is to get back playing regularly and to come to a place like this and to play football.

"Everyone already knows about how passionate Newcastle is, what their fans want to see, and how much they want success.

"It's nice to come to a place where a manager is trying to build a team and build a squad to develop and push on further and he wanted me to be part of that. When someone says that to you its always nice."

Out-of-contract Lyon captain Cacapa, 31, has also had a medical at Newcastle.

The Brazilian central defender, who skippered the French champions in each of their last five title-winning seasons, has also discussed personal terms with the club.

"He is a top player and we will be delighted if we can pull this off as we regard him as a big capture," Allardyce told the Newcastle Chronicle.

"Our fans should not be put off by the fact they may not have heard of Cacapa because he has certainly been heard of in Brazil and France."

Smith could make his Newcastle debut alongside former Leeds team-mate Mark Viduka in a pre-season friendly against Sampdoria on Sunday.

Allardyce had already added Viduka, Joey Barton, David Rozehnal and Geremi to the squad since arriving at the club.

But with six players departing and Kieron Dyer also set to leave, Allardyce has been frustrated over the lack of new faces.

Smith battled back from a broken leg to play last season but the offer of a new deal at Old Trafford did not materialise.

The striker was signed from Leeds for �7m three years ago.