Newcastle United's Inaugural Summer Signings In The Mike Ashley Era - Ranked Worst To Best

• Arrived: 7 June 2007 from Middlesbrough

• Fee Paid: Free Transfer

• Left: 30 June 2009

• Fee Received: Contract Expired

• Apps: 40

• Goals: 7

Viduka holds the dubious honour of being the first player to arrive at Newcastle in the Mike Ashley era, crossing the Tyne-Tees border to sign on a free transfer from Middlesbrough on the same day the Sports Direct owner increased his control at St James' Park by spending £37.6 million to acquire ex-chairman Freddy Shepherd's stake in the club. 

A prolific goal scorer at each of his previous clubs, the Australian forward struck five goals in the nine games he started for the Magpies between August and December - his first, an expertly crafted half-volley at Boro - before Sam Allardyce was dismissed in early 2008, and performed as the muscular central pivot in Kevin Keegan's rhythmic three-pronged attack, flanked by Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, playing a crucial role in anchoring Newcastle as a Premier League club in 2007/08.

Viduka struck just twice more in a black and white shirt, scoring his final goal in a 3-0 victory over Reading in April 2008 before separate injuries to his achilles and groin saw him enter a semi-permanent slumber for the final year of a reputed £80,000-a-week contract as the Magpies plunged into the Championship.

Interestingly, and largely as a result of his aversion to any form of motion when the ball wasn't in his vicinity, Viduka was never booked in the 40 appearances he clocked up for Newcastle. He left on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract and subsequently retired.