10 Strangest Ever Newcastle United Signings

Sentiment and an element of pity played a part in Glenn Roeder's decision to throw an unexpected lifeline to the French left-back on the final day of an anti-climactic summer transfer window in 2006 after his release from Rangers.

Although a fans favourite in his first spell at St James' Park there was a tangible disbelief when the Magpies agreed to take Bernard back after he left under a cloud 18 months earlier following a breakdown in contract talks, eventually joining struggling Southampton as a free agent. Nevermind the fact he was unfit, overweight and carrying a series of niggling injuries. All facts that were overlooked by Roeder.

Needless to say Bernard's second coming didn't go to plan and he was released a year later by new boss Sam Allardyce without being involved in a first-team match before confirming his retirement owing to a debilitating hip problem.