Hardest decision of career
Leaving Newcastle United was the hardest decision of my career. That was the emotional message sent back to Tyneside from Spain today from Jonathan Woodgate.
Woodgate was being introduced to the Real Madrid fans and media early this afternoon at the Bernabeu Stadium following his £14.9m transfer - but he spoke to the Chronicle first.
And in an exclusive interview, Woodgate almost apologised for all his injury problems at St James' Park - but asked how he could turn down the chance to line up with the "galacticos", including David Beckham, Michael Owen, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo.
And the Chronicle can reveal that Beckham was actually the one behind Real coach Antonio Camacho tying Woodgate up on a four-year contract with the option of another year.
Woodgate told me from Madrid today: "I am gutted to leave Newcastle United.
"I am going away and I'm disappointed because I am leaving Newcastle before I could show the fans what I can really do.
"I am leaving probably the most exciting bunch of young players in Europe, plus of course great players like Alan Shearer, along with the best fans and one of the best stadiums in Europe.
"But how can any player turn down Real Madrid? It's the only club I would have left Newcastle United for in the present circumstances.
"It was the hardest decision of my career, but I cannot miss out on the chance of playing with so many great players at Real."
Woodgate is now United's highest outgoing transfer, easily dwarfing the £8m they banked from Liverpool for Didi Hamann, and despite reports to the contrary, he leaves St James' Park with nothing but good feelings towards the club.
He added: "I spoke to the chairman and I told him to keep a hold of that number six shirt because I might be back one day.
"And I thanked Sir Bobby Robson and all his staff - both coaching and medical - for all they have done for me in my short stay at the club.
"In my opinion, Newcastle United as a club are on the up and I hope I can look forward to playing for Real against them in the Champions League one day."
After being sidelined for almost four months with a ruptured thigh muscle, Woodgate passed a stringent Madrid medical before agreeing personal terms, including an estimated weekly salary of £80,000.
But, significantly, while it took Owen only two and a half hours to come through his medical last week, it took Woodgate nearly four hours.
And one of the first to welcome Woodgate was Beckham who, it will emerge later, played a significant part in the deal.
ICnewcastle
