By Martyn Osmond
July 6 2004

New boy James Milner trained with the rest of the squad for the first time yesterday morning, meeting up with some familiar faces including former Leeds team-mates Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer, and England youth colleagues Steven Taylor and Michael Chopra.

Speaking to the club's official website Milner spoke out on his transfer for the first time.

He said: "I want people to know that I didn't ask for a move from Leeds. I was hoping to talk about a new contract and was preparing for the start of the new season.

"I'd seen all the speculation, but all I've been bothered about is the football.

"As far as I was concerned, up until the end of last week, I was all set to start the new season with Leeds. I'd just bought a new house and my mum and dad had paid for their season tickets at Elland Road.

"I did have mixed emotions when I was told that Leeds had accepted the offer from Newcastle because I had never said I wanted to move anywhere.

"As soon as Leeds told me they had agreed a deal with Newcastle I had to look forward and that meant speaking with them and moving things along."

For me this is a chance to stay in the Premiership and it's a new challenge. I am nervous because it is a new club, but I'm looking forward to settling in.

"Newcastle is a fantastic set-up and it's a massive club, so this is a great opportunity for me now."

Milner was wearing the number 16 training top, formerly owned (but rarely trained in) by one Carl Cort, now of Wolverhampton Wanderers.