Barton spent five years with Manchester City before joining Newcastle for £5.8m
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has signed a four-year deal with Premier League rivals QPR.
The 28-year-old, who joined the Magpies from Manchester City for £5.8m in 2007, was in the final year of his contract at St James' Park.
He was made available this summer on a free transfer after using Twitter to criticise the club's transfer policy.
"It's been a whirlwind, so to draw a line under it and get things sorted is a relief," Barton said on Friday.
Neil Warnock QPR managerHe's coming here to show people what he can do. He wants to get back into the England team
"The ambition of the club really impressed me. There's obviously a great set of lads here.
"The gaffer is talking about adding two or three more bodies, and that, combined with the new owner's ambitions, bodes really well for the future."
QPR manager Neil Warnock believes Barton's arrival will be key to the club's hopes this season.
"We've got a very, very good player on our hands," he commented.
"He's very enthusiastic. People will say one or two things about him, but they've said stuff about me in the past too, so I won't worry about that.
- Born: 2 September 1982
- Birthplace: Huyton, Merseyside
- Position: Midfielder
- Former clubs: Manchester City, Newcastle
- League appearances: 211
- League goals: 22
- League yellow/red cards: 56/3
"He's a lot better than people give him credit for. Hopefully we can harness all his positive characteristics and get the best out of him."
Barton started both of Newcastle's Premier League matches this season, picking up yellow cards in each.
On the opening weekend, he was involved in an ugly clash with Arsenal's Gervinho, later admitting he had overreacted in the melee that led to Gervinho's sending off during the 0-0 stalemate.
Barton, who has made one appearance for England, was then booked for dissent as Newcastle recorded a 1-0 win at rivals Sunderland.
QPR and Newcastle are due to meet in a Premier League game at Loftus Road on 12 September.
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