QPR have completed the signing of Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton on a four-year contract, the north east club have confirmed.

The 28-year-old was in the final year of his contract at St James’ Park and made available on a free transfer recently after criticising Newcastle’s recruitment policy via his Twitter account.

Barton passed a medical at QPR’s training ground in Harlington yesterday but left without penning a deal, ‘tweeting’ that he needed “some thinking time and space” before making a decision.

Having mulled over the move overnight, Barton has now penned a deal with the west London club and could make his debut against Wigan tomorrow or at home to Newcastle after the international break.