Newcastle Toons
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Newcastle United’s top ten transfers of the Premier League era

By Roy Emanuel

SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 17: Newcastle captain Alan Shearer celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at The Stadium of Light on April 17 2006 in Sunderland, England (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 17: Newcastle captain Alan Shearer celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at The Stadium of Light on April 17 2006 in Sunderland, England (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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29 Oct 1996: Faustino Asprilla of Newcastle in action during the UEFA cup second leg tie between Newcastle United and Ferenvarcos at St.James” Park in Newcastle. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport
29 Oct 1996: Faustino Asprilla of Newcastle in action during the UEFA cup second leg tie between Newcastle United and Ferenvarcos at St.James” Park in Newcastle. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport /

9) Faustino Asprilla – 1996

Yes, I know. Faustino Asprilla did not spend many years with Newcastle United, and he did not have the most consistent scoring record either. Depending on who you ask, quite a few fans would claim that he was a disappointment.

However, there was one magical night at St. James’ Park that cemented Tino’s legacy. The forward’s hat-trick against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League will live on forever in Geordie hearts.

A £6.7 million move from Parma brought high expectations from all involved with the club, and Asprilla arrived in the midst of Newcastle’s push for the Premier League title. The Colombian international’s second season featured him mostly as a substitute, making it even more difficult to live up to the hype.

His third season was a time of transition for United. On a September evening in 1997, Newcastle felt like the centre of the football universe.

Asprilla was at his attacking best against the Catalans, and he appeared truly unstoppable. With electric pace and a fantastic touch on the ball, Newcastle’s attack was absolutely world-class and brought immense joy to the home supporters.

Faustino Asprilla may not have fully lived up to his potential for Newcastle United, but nobody can ever take away that performance versus one of the sport’s global giants.

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