Newcastle United are suddenly a super-rich club following the completion of the £305 million Saudi-Arabian-backed takeover.

The deal was completed on Thursday and jubilant fans were filmed celebrating outside St James’ Park when the news was confirmed.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer said the controversial takeover marked a “special day” for the club’s long-suffering fans.

"All we've done is tick along and survive for 14 years," Shearer told BBC Sport following Mike Ashley’s departure. "We've had no real ambition, we've survived, cup competitions have been non-existent and this city and this football club and our fans deserve better.

"The fans are loyal, they love their football club and their life is Newcastle United. It all depends on whether Newcastle win on a Saturday. They work hard all week to spend their money on the club, so I understand why there is so much happiness in the city today and I feel exactly the same.

"Our fans also need to know that they matter, because they haven't for 14 years, so today is special for them."

Steve Bruce, meanwhile, is expected to be replaced as the team’s manager. Steven Gerrard is the early frontrunner to become Newcastle’s next boss, while the likes of Antonio Conte, Brendan Rodgers and Eddie Howe are also potential candidates, according to the bookies.

p1fhfnguiaf3adhodctt2q48ed.jpg

It’s now inevitable that Newcastle, whose last major trophy was the 1955 FA Cup, will sign various star names over the coming years as their new owners attempt to turn them into Premier League and Champions League powerhouses.

We saw the same thing happen with Chelsea when Roman Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge in 2003, and again five years later when the Abu Dhabi Group completed their takeover of Manchester City.

p1fhfnl47v13451cinld4gno1e7hf.jpg

Premier League table since Chelsea's 2003 takeover

But what does the all-time Premier League table look like since Chelsea became a super-rich club in the summer of 2003? Let’s take a look:

p1fhfntb831nifusc2hf3scuueh.jpg

As you can see, no team has amassed more Premier League points since the start of the 2003-04 campaign (Abramovich’s first season as Chelsea owner) than the Blues.

With 423 victories, 146 draws, 122 defeats and a goal difference of +669, Chelsea sit top of the all-time Premier League table since August 2003.

p1fhfnvdd1ale1u8b1eps37d1iren.jpg

The west London outfit have won five league titles during that time (2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15 and 2016-17).

Manchester United, who last won the title in 2013, have one fewer Premier League point than Chelsea.

Premier League table since Man City's 2008 takeover

Now let’s look at the all-time Premier League table since the start of the 2008-09 season - City’s first campaign after the Abu Dhabi Group takeover was completed.

p1fhfntmituodillaclsloc46j.jpg

Money clearly talks. City have amassed more points (1,043) than any team since the summer of 2008, winning five Premier League titles in the process.

Man Utd are second with 1,003 points, followed by Chelsea on 982.

p1fhfo09hg8bv1krri88boj196hp.jpg

Will Newcastle dominate the Premier League?

In 10 years’ time, will Newcastle United be in top spot for the previous decade? You certainly can’t rule it out.

Newcastle now have the wealthiest owners in the world (worth an estimated £320 billion) and we’ve seen before that money usually equals success when it comes to the Premier League and, indeed, football in general.

p1fhfo1rr21kritq861819991ftsr.jpg
p1fhfncre8oc2pi114pe1eq710rhb.jpg

Enter Giveaway

Newcastle takeover complete (Football Terrace)

Can you name all of these 'Streets Will Never Forget' ballers? [Quiz]