MICHAEL Owen admitted he was overwhelmed by the reception he got from the St. James' Park crowd after being unveiled by The Magpies on Wednesday.

Owen spent an hour and a half speaking to the media after putting pen to paper on his contract, and by the time he emerged from the players' tunnel there were around 15,000 fans waiting to greet him at the Leazes End of the stadium.

"I was told to expect a warm welcome, but I wasn't expecting anything like that," Owen told nufc.co.uk.

"When I came down the tunnel I could hear the noise, then when I got out onto the pitch it was unbelievable. I must admit I had a lump in my throat.

"I knew this club had a passionate following, and that turnout just proves that.

"Hopefully I can give the fans a lot to shout about, if that noise was made by just one end of the ground then I cannot wait to hear it when it is full!"

Owen leaves St. James' Park and flies straight to the England HQ ahead of the World Cup qualifying games with Wales and Northern Ireland.

He added: "I can't play against Wales, but I will be available for the game with Northern Ireland.

"I must admit though, I'll have one eye on the game with Fulham here at St. James' Park.

"That will be my debut, and I can't wait for the match now."