Czech central defender Rozehnal leaves Newcastle for Lazio

The 27-year-old centre-back spent the last three months with the Rome club after failing to make his mark at St James's Park.

Rozehnal was one of Sam Allardyce's first signings last summer, joining in a £2.9 million deal from Paris St Germain.

David Rozehnal gestures during the opening match of Euro 2008 between Switzerland and Czech republic in Basel

But the tall defender, who started his career in the Czech Republic with Sigma Olomouc before moving on to Bruges and PSG, struggled in the Barclays Premier League and made just 16 league starts before he was left out of the side by the former Bolton boss.

New boss Kevin Keegan then quickly shipped him off to Lazio on loan and Siena and Udinese were also believed to be interested in ending his Newcastle spell.

But Lazio coach Domenico Caso has acted quickly to sign him on a permanant basis after his solid performance in the Czech Republic's 1-0 win over co-hosts Switzerland in the opening Euro 2008 game in Basle on Sunday night.