Milner to sign with Newcastle

Associated Press

Leeds, July 2:

Leeds said on Friday promising striker James Milner was on the verge of joining Newcastle United. The club said the 18-year-old passed a medical and signed a five-year contract in a transfer worth over $9.1 million. Leeds, though, said the deal hasn’t been completed.

Milner would become the latest star player to leave the relegated Whites in the offseason. England No 2 goalkeeper Paul Robinson joined Tottenham, striker Alan Smith went to Manchester United and striker Mark Viduka is expected to complete his move to Middlesbrough early next week. In recent years, Leeds has sold Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Wood-gate, Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyer, Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane. Milner, at 16 years and 357 days, became the Premier League’s youngest scorer when he netted against Sunderland two years ago.