The 32-year-old Peruvian departed for West Ham on Friday - two years to the day since he returned from Aston Villa for a second spell at St James' Park - after admitting he needed to be nearer to his wife and children in London.

Manager Sam Allardyce reluctantly agreed to let the midfielder go after wrapping up his moves for Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye, leaving Solano to reflect on his time on Tyneside.

He said: "I only have one regret about my time at Newcastle United, and that is I did not help give the fans the trophy they deserve.

"I have to say the Newcastle supporters were great to me and I can honestly say I always tried my best for them.

"The only reason I wanted to leave was because of my family, and they all seemed to understand that.

"I know I am a professional footballer, but my family is very important to me.

"My daughter Luana was born in Birmingham during my time at Aston Villa, but my son Madias was born and bred in Newcastle and he is a real Geordie boy.

"They are in London and that's the only reason I wanted to go down there."

Solano added: "On Friday morning, I had changed my mind and I was convinced I would be staying - and I was happy at that.

"But looking at the great squad Newcastle have got, I accepted I would not play that many matches this season and for that reason - and my family - I thought it was best to go when West Ham came back in for me."

Solano arrived at St James' in a £2.5million move from Argentinian side Boca Juniors in August 1998 and made 314 appearances, scoring 48 goals, under managers Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder and Allardyce.

He is regarded as arguably the club's best overseas signing to date and was tipped by Roeder as a potential future coach of his national side, for whom he hopes to play against Bolivia and Colombia over the next few days.

Solano may not have left the north-east with a winners' medal, but he did take many happy memories with him as he prepares for a swift return with the Hammers on September 23.

He said: "It will be great to come back so soon because everything happened so fast on Friday, I did not have time to say many goodbyes.

"But you never know, I might be back permanently one day as manager of Newcastle United - or as a coach if Alan Shearer is looking for one in years to come."

Meanwhile, talented Frenchman Charles N'Zogbia has committed himself to the club until 2012 after admitting he did consider leaving St James' Park.

The 21-year-old Le Havre-born player looked to be on his way out of Tyneside after a knee injury and loss of form saw him reduced to a peripheral role for the second half of last season.

N'Zogbia, who was this week called up by his country's under-21s, had been repeatedly linked with a move to Arsenal, but having made a blistering start to the new campaign as an emergency left-back he has now signed a new five-year deal.

He said: "I am happy to sign my contract and I see my future with Newcastle United because it is a great club.

"I admit towards the end of last season I was not happy and I thought I might be leaving the club, but everything is different now with the new manager.

"I have always loved the city, the fans and the club and wanted to stay here. I'm delighted now that I'm playing and I'm really enjoying my football."

Allardyce has asked N'Zogbia to play in the problem left-back spot for much of the season to date, and he has played a major role in the club's unbeaten start.

In addition, he has already contributed two goals, one in the opening day victory at Bolton and the second a stunning long-range strike in the 2-2 derby draw at Middlesbrough.