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Yohan Cabaye says he quit Newcastle United for Paris St-Germain because he wanted to: “Win something.”

The 28-year-old thanked the Magpies after two and a half years on Tyneside but also left director of football Joe Kinnear red-faced by revealing there was always an “agreement” in place to allow him to leave United THIS month.

The ex-Wimbledon boss had gone on the record to state: “I will not let any player leave Newcastle United in this transfer window.”

However, Cabaye was welcomed in Paris by a giant banner of the midfielder superimposed on to a PSG shirt with a sign reading: “Bienvenue Yohan Cabaye.”

Cabaye said after arriving in Paris ahead a deal that could be worth £19m eventually after add-ons: “Newcastle respected the agreement we had to allow me to leave this January.”

But rather than take a cheap shot at Kinnear, Cabaye was respectful to Newcastle officials – despite being pressed on Kebab-gate when the Toon’s controversial football chief mispronounced his name on radio last August.

Cabaye said: “I had a wonderful time over there, I want to thank the manager, the staff. We were close in my first full season to making the Champions League but in the second one it was much more difficult.”

The most painful part of Cabaye’s exit was undoubtedly when he spoke about ambition – a real sore point for the Toon Army. Newcastle made it clear they weren’t prepared to make the domestic cups a priority.

Cabaye said of PSG: “I want to win trophies and this club gives me the opportunity to do so. I did not hesitate at all. I moved because I want to win titles.

“It is already great to play football, but everyone wants to win something. I am very, very happy to be here and I cannot wait to start with the club.

“I want to thank everyone and Newcastle for allowing me to make this move.”

And Cabaye said he won’t look back in anger at United after they rejected a bid for Arsenal last August.

Back then Cabaye went on strike and was fined for missing the 4-0 loss at Manchester City and 0-0 draw with West Ham.

When asked again about Kinnear, he said: “It is always complicated when there is an offer from an important club came in but right now I am not angry with anyone. It would be stupid of me. I am at a major European club now. The manager has not given me any guarantees. I am looking forward to giving my all and I will fight for my place.”

Cabaye also said he had no regrets in seeing a move to Arsenal fall through, adding: “Arsenal did make an offer but after that discussion sort of stopped. It was difficult to accept at first but in the end it seems to have turned out well for me.”

Despite Cabaye revealing an agreement to go, Newcastle released a statement last night indicating they wanted to keep the midfielder.

It read: “The club wanted to keep him but the lure of Champions League football and the prospect of being involved in the sporting project at PSG was an opportunity that Yohan made very clear to us he wanted to take.”