The Argentina international defender was due on Tyneside today to complete a medical, bringing an end to drawn-out transfer negotiations which have been going on for more than three months.

Newcastle agreed a 11.5 Euro fee last week, but the paperwork has only now been completed.

And when Coloccini completes the formality of his medical, then he will become Kevin Keegan's fourth summer signing, following countryman Jonas Gutierrez and duo Danny Guthrie and Sebastien Bassong through the St James's Park front door.

The deal for Coloccini, however, is by far the most significant.

And the fee could rise beyond the £10m mark depending on appearances, while United are also understood to have agreed to take part in a future Teresa Herrera pre-season tournament at Depor's Riazor Stadium.

Cordoba-born Coloccini – who started his career at Boca Juniors – had spent the past three-and-a-half years in La Coruna after a switch from AC Milan.