Hatem Ben Arfa: Newcastle winger's contract ended

Hatem Ben Arfa played eight league matches during a loan spell at Hull City this season

Midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa's contract with Newcastle has been ended by mutual consent, the club have confirmed.

It paves the way for the 27-year-old to move to French side Nice.

The Ligue 1 club said on Saturday they had reached "an agreement in principle" with the Frenchman, who will have a medical on Monday.

He signed for Newcastle from Marseille in January 2011, and had spent this season on loan at Hull but the proposed season-long deal was ended early.

Afterwards former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said the Frenchman would not return to St James' Park.

Nice said in their statement: "Some details remain to be ironed out but Ben Arfa has never been so close to OGC Nice.

"The attacking midfielder should continue his career in the red and black shirt [of the French club]."

The length of the contract is still to be confirmed.

Nice, coached by Claude Puel, are currently 11th in Ligue 1.