Newcastle Transfers: 10 Greatest Modern Foreign Imports

10. Fabricio Coloccini

When a club of Newcastle stature drops a division, you need a leader to step forward, rally the troops, stop the rut and inject some life back into the club. These are the characteristics Coloccini demonstrated upon Newcastles shock relegation of the 08/09 season. Having played in the Champions League just six years prior to their relegation, Newcastle United, a firmly established Premier League team, were sent packing to the Championship after problems both on and off the field. I, like many other, assumed there would be a mass clear out of player, some of which would be deadwood, others who would want to abandone the sinking ship. How many times have we seen players hand in a transfer request during a crisis at a club? Loyalty is a word not thrown around too often in football nowadays, but I cannot think of many other occasions where I can use it when talking about Fabricio Coloccini. We have a saying in Spain, along the lines of 'a los tontos no les dura el dinero', which means a fool and his money are soon parted. Newcastle have certainly epitomised this saying for a long time with some of their signings (Again.. Albert Luque anyone?). Never has that phrase been so unfitting when talking about Colo. Money can't buy you loyalty but Newcastle certainly found it in this guy. Playing in the heart of defence, the Argentinien International revived Newcastle's on pitch success and helpt lift them back into the Premier League. His leadership didn't go unnoticed, as he captained the Newcastle side that qualified for the Europa League during their first season back in the Premier League. So, through a mix of dedication, devotion, ability and his hair, Coloccini makes it into the top 10 Newcastle greatest modern foreign imports.