LONDON, July 23: Ireland winger Damien Duff is moving from English champions Chelsea to Newcastle United.

The 27-year-old has signed a five-year contract and will be unveiled at St James' Park on Monday, Newcastle said on their website on Saturday.

Newcastle have lost striker Alan Shearer, who has retired, and Michael Owen will be out for most the season after injuring his knee at the World Cup.

Duff joined Chelsea from Blackburn in 2003 in a 17 million pounds ($31.4 million) deal and won two league titles. He played 125 games for the London club, starting 95, and scored 19 goals.

At Newcastle he will join former Chelsea colleagues Scott Parker and Celestine Babayaro.—Reuters