Titus Bramble has thrown a protective arm of welcome around Darren Ambrose who last week joined one of the world's biggest clubs, writes Derek Davis.Newcastle United defender Bramble, who joined from Ipswich Town in a £5 million move last summer totally understands what 19-year Ambrose is feeling as he moves out of the relative footballing backwater into a side laden with internationals and Champions' League expectations.

Titus Bramble has thrown a protective arm of welcome around Darren Ambrose who last week joined one of the world's biggest clubs, writes Derek Davis.

Newcastle United defender Bramble, who joined from Ipswich Town in a £5 million move last summer totally understands what 19-year Ambrose is feeling as he moves out of the relative footballing backwater into a side laden with internationals and Champions' League expectations.

Bramble said: "I know exactly what Darren will have been through the last few weeks as it is exactly the same sort of emotions I had when I decided to leave Ipswich last summer.

"Ipswich are the sort of club you become very attached to, especially if, like Darren, Kieron (Dyer) and myself, you have been there since you were a kid. We all came through the ranks and all made our debuts when we were still teenagers. The club will always hold a special place in all our hearts because it is where we first developed as footballers and it is sad to leave. It is like leaving home for the first time I suppose. But, at the end of the day, you cannot turn down the pull of a club like Newcastle United and the chance to work under a manager like Sir Bobby Robson."

Ambrose is following a well-trodden path to the North-East and Bramble has praised him for not staying in the comparative comfort zone.

He added: "It would be easy to stay, but you know you have to leave to further your career. When you come to Newcastle you know you are going to be competing at the very top of the Premiership and in the Champions' League. You have the chance to win things and to play against the best players in the world.

"Ipswich are a big club, but Newcastle are a massive one. When a club like that shows an interest in you it is very flattering and you want to seize your chance while it is there."

Bramble will help Ambrose settle in and is convinced the Harlow lad will soon be a popular and successful addition to the Magpies' squad. Bramble said: "I've spoken to Darren and talked to him about coming and he is excited and nervous. Hopefully I'll be able to help him settle in, just as Kieron helped me settle in when I first came up here. Darren is an excellent talent and will fit in well at Newcastle. He has an amazing football brain and sees things very quickly. He has tremendous feet and his delivery is superb.

"But perhaps one of his biggest assets is that he has a good eye for goal as well. He scores a lot of goals from midfield and that is a major plus. I think he will be a big success."