The Egyptian hot-shot may have been the subject of some Islamophobic chanting from sections of the Newcastle support whilst a Middlesbrough player in 2007, but it was only a couple of years beforehand that he could have been a Magpie. However, with the club already resembling some sort of juvenile detention centre, would a petulant and egotistical striker who once threw a scissors at Zlatan Ibrahimovic while the pair were at Ajax have really been a necessary addition?
''I can reveal that I have agreed terms with the prestigious club, and that the British sides officials are int alms with OM as of this moment to finish the deal. Its a loan deal of the duration of one year, with a purchasing option, and I hope that OM agrees on finalising the transfer. I will prove that I am a striker who can score lots of goals and winning silverware with Newcastle will be my aim. If the move is finalised, I will consider myself very fortunate to play alongside Shearer, I am sure I will learn a lot from one of the best ever. - Mido, July 2004.
The move failed to materialised, and judging by his erratic spell in England, that is something to be thankful for, as far as Newcastle are concerned. Aside from one season, where he bagged 11 goals in 27 games for Spurs, Mido struck a paltry 18 goals in 90 games for Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Wigan, West Ham and Barnsley, before weight issues, and a lack of discipline or desire dictated that he retire from the game at just 30 years old.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
