Joey Barton is convinced he's made the right choice to join Newcastle United.

The former Manchester City midfielder said: "It was just the sheer potential of the place, the size of the football club, the size of the stadium, the foundation, and obviously the new manager coming in.

"He was someone I had always admired from afar and someone I had always hoped to get a chance to work with.

"Thankfully, that opportunity arose and it arose at a big club. As soon as that chance presented itself, I was ready to step in and give myself a challenge."

Barton will compete with the likes of Kieron Dyer, Nicky Butt, Emre, James Milner, Charles N'Zogbia and, when he is fit again, Damien Duff, for a place in Sam Allardyce's midfield.

Newcastle's lack of goals from that area of the pitch has been a feature of recent seasons, and that is something the newcomer will hope to help address.

He told the club's official website: "Only time will tell. If I can produce the form I produced at City, then there should be no problem.

"But as a professional and as a player who wants to get better and better, I want to set myself higher goals than that and I will be very disappointed if I do not reach the potential and the targets I set myself."