10 Underwhelming Newcastle Signings Who Became Cult Heroes

10. Peter Lovenkrands

The 08/09 season is but a dismal and dreary blur in the memories of Toon supporters, shoved to the back of their brain as they seek to forget the torment and catastrophe of the tumultuous nine months which ultimately culminated in the Tyneside club meekly slipping out of the top-flight for the first time in 16 years. With adorned boss Kevin Keegan having sensationally quit the club following an unprecedented row over the bizarre transfer policy, and the incoming Joe Kinnear proving himself more of a bumbler than a manager, circumstances looked bleak for Toon supporters when the January transfer window.

With the club languishing perilously close to the drop-zone, fingers were crossed in the hope that Mike Ashley might loosen the purse-strings in a bid to arrest the alarming slide. Unfortunately, Peter Lovenkrands' free transfer from Schalke with just seven days of the window left, didn't exactly set pulses racing. Expectations weren't exactly sky-high for the Dane with a profligate record of eight goals in his 56 appearances since leaving Rangers in 2006. Three goals in 12 Premier League appearances weren't enough to save the club from the drop, and indeed himself from the chop, as Ashley refused to renew his contract.

Within two months however, he rejoined the club for their foray into the Championship, where he proved to be a hit, bagging an impressive total of 16 in 32 appearances. Bagging a crucial equaliser against promotion rivals West Brom days after the death of his father earned widespread appraisal from Toon supporters, admiring his dedication and perseverance.

Contributor
Contributor

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.