We see what the former Newcastle United striker has been up to since departing from Tyneside.
Continuing our look at former Newcastle United players, we check in on Leon Best. The target forward spent a couple of seasons with the Magpies in their striker corps, primarily behind Andy Carroll and Peter Lovenkrands.
Newcastle United career
2010-2012, 46 appearances, 10 goals, seven assists, scored in the 2010 Sir Bobby Robson tribute match
Soccer Stops since leaving Newcastle United
Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday (loan), Derby County (loan), Brighton and Hove Albion (loan), Rotherham United, Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic
Quick Facts
- Made seven caps for the Republic of Ireland national team, scoring zero goals
- Has 35 career goals in over 200 matches in the EFL Championship
- Scored multiple goals for Coventry City while wearing a protective mask after fracturing his cheekbone. The mask became a hit with the fans and sparked a nickname of Zorro.
- Only broke double digits in goals during a season once. That was back in 2006-07 with Yeovil Town, playing in League Two.
- Hasn’t scored a goal since the 2015-16 season with Rotherham United, when he scored four in the campaign
- His sister has a child with Leicester City’s Wes Morgan
- Had a hernia surgery in 2017, which resulted in a dangerous groin infection
Where is he now?
He is currently rehabbing a serious knee injury that ended his time with Charlton Athletic. The 31-year-old is not expected to be ready to play again until towards the end of the calendar year. There is no indication he wants to retire yet.