It was in the 1990's that Sir John Hall held a utopian fantasy of watching a team of Geordies to run out at St James' Park in black and white shirts. It didn't quite come to pass for the former Magpies chairman with barely a dozen locally reared players progressing through the ranks to make the grade in the first-team. Without a Newcastle native to invest their hopes in Toon fans have instead resorted to making honorary Geordies out of the foreign imports that have played for the club in the Premier League, many of whom have gone on to enjoy cult hero status and are still widely revered. While many of overseas recruits, most bought on a whim and for sky-high sums, will stick in the memory for all the wrong reasons we feel there are 10 players that have made significant contributions to Newcastle United in the top-flight.
10. Faustino Asprilla
In a rundown of Newcastle's greatest imports there is no better place to start than with the enigmatic Asprilla. Moving to Tyneside from Parma in February 1996, Keegan audaciously convinced him the city was part of London in a now legendary ruse to secure his signature, the Colombian was hoodwinked into debuting against Middlesbrough despite being told he wouldn't be playing and downing two glasses of red wine with his pre-match meal. A rubber-legged Cruyff turn down the wing and cross later and Tino had laid on the winner for Steve Watson in a game that looked destined to end in a stalemate. However, many feel Tino's arrival ruined Newcastle's pursuit of the Premier League title that season. Yet he is still fondly remembered for THAT Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona when he stood arms aloft in front of a wild Leazes End just seconds after heading in the third of his iconic treble and soaked up the adulation. Or his corner flag celebration at the same end after scoring his second in the UEFA Cup victory over Metz. Cherished memories. Alas, lets not forget the unforgettable image of him walking through the snow looking thoroughly miserable clad in a fur coat like a Hollywood A-lister that every Toon fan will have seared into their memory.
