Newcastle Set To Sell Mike Williamson

The defender has spent five and a half years at St James' Park but is transfer listed this summer.

By Matt Smith /

Newcastle United are set to sell Mike Williamson this summer to Brighton and Hove Albion, according to the Shields Gazette.

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Seagulls' boss Chris Hughton, who signed the 31-year-old during his first season at St James' Park, is looking to bring in some defensive reinforcements and has put the Newcastle centre back on his shortlist.

Hughton and Williamson enjoyed success together in 2010 as they both achieved promotion to the Premier League.

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The English defender has been placed on the transfer list by the Magpies and is out of contract at the end of next season.

Newcastle have recently brought in Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht for £8.5 million and it looks likely that Steve McClaren will be playing him alongside Fabricio Coloccini this season, leaving Williamson left on the sidelines.

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The Magpies are also hoping that a late-bid could bring highly-rated full back Mason Holgate to St James€™ Park and were linked with Werder Bremen€™s Jannik Vestergaard.

Williamson €“ who has made 169 appearances for United in his five and a half years at St James€™s Park €“ is also being linked with a move to Leeds United.

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The central defender made 33 appearances under Alan Pardew and John Carver last season and scored one goal.