The 26-year-old was in Turin to finalize the 3.3 million pounds (6.2 million dollars) deal and signed a four-year contract.

Boumsong joined Newcastle from Scottish club Rangers in January 2005 for an eight million pounds fee. However, he endured a dismal spell at St James' Park and the Magpies were seemingly happy to cut their losses.

He was a non-playing member of the France squad at the World Cup in Germany where "Les Bleus" lost to Italy in the final after a penalty shoot-out.

Juventus will play a friendly against Newcastle at St James' Park next year as part of the deal.

The sale should boost Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder's transfer kitty ahead of the transfer window closure at the end of the month.

The Magpies are desperate for a big-name striker to replace the retired club legend Alan Shearer and the injured England forward Michael Owen.

Roeder has succeeded in signing only Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff so far and has missed out on landing Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt and Germany striker Miroslav Klose.

However, the Magpies have agreed a 10 million pounds (19 million dollars) fee with Italian side Inter Milan for their Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins.