Simpson spent time at Newcastle's local rivals Sunderland in 2006-07

Newcastle United have signed Manchester United defender Danny Simpson on loan until the end of the year.

The 22-year-old is a right-sided full-back who is expected to replace the departed Habib Beye and will wear the number 12 shirt at St James's Park.

Manchester United loaned Simpson out last season for spells at Blackburn and Ipswich, and he also enjoyed a spell with rivals Sunderland in 2006-07.

He becomes Newcastle's first signing this summer.

The defender, who joined the Reds' academy in 2003, has had eight first-team appearances at Old Trafford.

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He had two loans spells at Belgian club Royal Antwerp before making his Manchester United debut in a Carling Cup fixture against Coventry City in September 2007.

Simpson is expected to go straight into the Newcastle squad for the Magpies' home fixture against Reading on Saturday.

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