MATT RITCHIE, whose sale to Bournemouth from Swindon Town for a knockdown £400,000 three years ago caused the then-manager Paolo Di Canio to quit the club, has joined Newcastle for a fee believed to be £10m.

Ritchie, 25, who became a Scottish international after joining Bournemouth, has agreed a five-year contract with the side recently relegated from the Premier League.

Ritchie is an immediate replacement for Andros Townsend who has moved to Crystal Palace for £13m.

Newcastle today also competed the signing of striker Dwight Gayle from Palace.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to come to a football club like this," Ritchie told the club's official website.

"I loved it at Bournemouth - I had a fantastic time there and it had a huge impact on my career. But when a club like Newcastle comes calling, I couldn't pass up this opportunity.

"It's fantastic to be here and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of getting the club back in the Premier League."

He was a near ever-present for Bournemouth last season, the club's first in the Premier League, scoring four goals in 37 appearances, while he netted 15 for Eddie Howe's side as they won promotion from the Sky Bet Championship in the previous campaign.

He progressed through Portsmouth's academy and had loan spells at Dagenham, Notts County and Swindon before sealing a permanent move to the County Ground in January 2011.

Ritchie made more than 100 Town appearances helping them to the League Two title, and they were challenging at the top of League One the following season when he was sold 'behind my back' according to Di Canio.

Ritchie for his part credits Di Canio with getting him fitter and making him control his sweet tooth.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez said: "We have been following some wingers for a while and Matt was one of the best prospects for this team.

"He has great ability and pace, and as soon as we knew that Andros Townsend could be leaving, our priority was to finalise this deal.

"We have signed an exciting winger who has experience in the Championship but has also proved that he can step up to the top level. I am delighted that he is now part of our squad."

Swindon Town are not believed to have any sell-on clause associated with the sale of Ritchie.