Striker set to sign

Chopra has been offered a new deal at Newcastle with Toon boss Glenn Roeder offering a one-year deal with assurances of a loan move should Chopra's first team opportunities become limited. However the 22 year old striker was keen to move to secure regular first team action.

Chopra enjoyed a fruitfull loan spell with Barnsley in 2004-2005 season and became a hugely popular figure at Oakwell scoring 17 goals in 38 appearances. Barnsley made an approach to land Chopra permanently following their promotion to the Championship.


A host of other Championship clubs including Crystal Palace and Birmingham had madxe enquiries but it Chopra made his decision based on the ambitions and potential of Jones/Ridsdale and Hammamm. Chopra choose City according to 'what they can achieve, rather than what they have achieved'. Ridsdale was involved in bringing Chopra to Barnsley for the loan period and may have been a factor in Chopra's decision to move to Wales.

As Chopra came through the Newcastle ranks and is under 24, Newcastle will be entitled to compensation (as they offered him a new deal. The deal is likely to include an up-front payment of £250k with that figure to double depending on appearances, goals and promotion to the Premiership.

Chopra has scored for Newcastle in the Premiership including a vital goal against local rivals Sunderland.

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