Newcastle Transfers: 10 More French Players Who Played For The Toon

4. Habib Beye

Born: October 19th, 1977 in Suresnes Signed By: Sam Allardyce in 2007 for £2,000,000 (Source: BBC Sport) Signed From: Marseille Left Newcastle: 2009 for around £2.5million (Source: Guardian) League Appearances: 52 League Goals: 1 One of the most popular members of the Newcastle side in which he featured, Habib Beye signed for Newcastle United in 2007 from Olympique Marseille, in a move described by manager Sam Allardyce as "excellent". Along with Jose Enrique, he proved to be the highlight of Allardyce's transfer activity on Tyneside. Although already 29 when he joined Newcastle, Beye joined a Newcastle team desperately needing defensive reinforcements, and immediately impressed in his first start at St. James' Park against West Ham United. Beye would go on to become a stand-out player for a struggling Newcastle side, outlasting Allardyce and remaining a firm part of the first-choice defensive line-up throughout his time at the club, and being declared the 2007-08 official Newcastle United player of the season. Unfortunately for Habib Beye, he played for Newcastle during a tumultuous time in the club's history, and despite his excellent displays the Magpies were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the 2008-09 season following a loss to Aston Villa. Beye vowed to stay on at the club via the Newcastle United official website, before doing a U-turn and declaring that he wished to leave in order to "save his career". This move angered many fans that had taken fondly to him. Beye eventually left Newcastle before the start of the 2009-10 season, ironically joining Aston Villa. Joining Aston Villa didn't prove to be too rosy a decision for Beye in the end, however, as he only made three league appearances in as many years at the club, leaving in February 2012 having become a reserve player for a mid-table Premier League side. Newcastle finished the 2011-12 season in 5th place. After leaving Aston Villa, Beye opted to join Doncaster Rovers, whom he had featured for on loan in the run-up to his release. After Doncaster's relegation from the Championship, Beye left Doncaster, and is currently a free agent. Would he make the cut today? In his prime, yes. Although his reputation on Tyneside was tainted by his U-turn decision to leave the club, Beye was one of Newcastle's outstanding talents between 2007 and 2009. It's unlikely that the Beye of that time would start in the current, stronger side, but he'd certainly have a place as a squad player. (Note: Habib Beye represents Senegal at international level but was born in France.)