This is why defender signed for Newcastle United ahead of Sunderland

The defender had a two-year spell at St James’s Park under Graeme Souness and his successor Glenn Roeder.

Injuries restricted Moore’s appearances for the club, which qualified for Europe in his first year on Tyneside.

And the former Australia international has reflected on his time at Newcastle on the GegenPod podcast after first revealing why he signed for the club ahead of Mick McCarthy’s Sunderland in 2005.

“It was more the Souness factor at the time,” said Moore, who failed a medical at Blackburn Rovers during Graeme Souness’ time at Ewood Park.

“(I got) the opportunity to go and sign for Newcastle United under Souness.

“I did have a late rally as well. When Mick McCarthy was at Sunderland, they offered us a longer term deal, but it had that yucky clause in it, that 50% salary deduction if your team was relegated.

“I had that opportunity as well, but I ended up signing for Newcastle and that season Sunderland got relegated. I made the right decision, obviously. Preparation-wise, I couldn’t have been placed any better in terms of I had 12 years at Rangers. You’ve got the similar rivalry.

“When times are good, it’s fantastic, but, at the same time, when you’re maybe struggling a little bit, it can be quite brutal, the supporter base.

“I felt I was really well prepared for going to a club the size of Newcastle, a massive club in the North East.

“I really had a great time. The disappointing thing for me was that I wasn’t match fit and I wasn’t at the best for the two years I was there. When I was fit and healthy, I played.

“Did I pay enough? No, because of the injury situation. Great bunch of boys. There was a really good mix, and probably had two decent seasons. The first season I was there we qualified through the Intertoto for the (UEFA Cup).”

Moore joined Brisbane Roar after leaving United in the summer fo 2007.