10 Strangest Ever Newcastle United Signings

Kevin Keegan had never heard of either Xisco or Gonzalez (pictured on either side of Michael Owen, above) when Dennis Wise, our alleged Executive Director of Football, brought them to St James' Park on transfer deadline day in 2008. They are now two names neither Keegan or ourselves are ever likely to forget.

Wise persuaded Mike Ashley to cough up £5.5 million for the Spain under-21 international while Gonzalez, a Uruguay international, was the straw that broke the camel's back for Keegan, who claimed he was forced to sign the midfielder despite declaring that he was nowhere near good enough to play for Newcastle after only a brief viewing on YouTube.

Both players have their place in Magpies history, however, as their arrival prompted Keegan's resignation and change in attitude from supporters towards Ashley after he sided with Wise and vice president Tony Jimenez. Xisco managed just one goal in five years in black and white, thankfully spending most of his time out on loan, while we were spared having to watch Gonzalez amble around in midfield after an achilles injury ruled him out for the season after just two appearances.