Ranking Newcastle's Transfer Dealings 2014-15 - Incomings

2. Jack Colback - Signed On A Free Transfer (From Sunderland)

Appearances (All Competitions): 38 Minutes Played (Premier League): 3,129 Assists (All Competitions): 6 Goals (All Competitions): 4 Yellow Cards (Premier League): 12 Red Cards (Premier League): 0

Season Rating: 7 Value-For-Money Rating: 9 A controversial switch from Sunderland to his boyhood club last summer - where no money at all changed hands - resulted in yet another relegation battle for Colback, but he offered an industrious presence in the Newcastle midfield while those around him floundered. Six assists and four goals this season is a decent return and made him one of the best-performing English midfielders in the entire Premier League - although he does have a tendency to pick up silly yellow cards. Still some improving to do but a positive first campaign in black and white. With Newcastle having capitalised on Colback's contract situation, snapping up the now 25-year-old on a free transfer - and that is a cracking piece of business for a proven Premier League performer. He could become the heartbeat of the Newcastle United side for many years to come, and for that reason his value-for-money rating of 9 is thoroughly deserved.