Barton takes aim at Toon board

Published Aug. 26, 2011 9:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

The 28-year-old hassigned a four-year deal at Loftus Road after deciding not to see out the final year of his existing contract on Tyneside. Barton did enter into contract negotiations with Newcastle in January, but no deal was agreed and the offer on the table then had been withdrawn by the time his agent arrived to re-open negotiations at the end of last season. The midfielder predictably used his much-publicised Twitter account to express his affection for the Magpies' fans, but could not resist a dig at owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias. He tweeted: "I will always have a special relationship with the Geordie nation but sadly they are not the decision makers at St James' Park. "I wish to thank each and everyone of them sincerely for their support. "I am incredibly excited to be joining QPR at this pivotal time in their history and plan to give my all for the club."