Newcastle have signed some world class players in their time, whilst also securing deals to forget, of course. But let’s focus on the positive.
The Magpies can boast some of the greatest goal scorers in Premier League history, as well as one of the best dribblers, and players that will forever appear on ‘streets won’t forget’ Instagram posts, which force us all to never stop thinking about certain players.
With that said, and a variation of players to look at, we ranked Newcastle United’s greatest signings of the Premier League era.
10) Hatem Ben Arfa – £5m
I think I speak for the majority when I say how surprised I am to see Hatem Ben Arfa featured on a list not centred around the streets not forgetting certain individuals, but here we are.
The tricky Frenchman, at his best, was out of this world, as remains one of Newcastle’s greatest ever signings.
He came in and was capable of playing in a variety of roles, including attacking midfield and off the wing.
Ben Arfa ended his Newcastle career with 86 games under his belt, as well as 14 goals and 15 assists.
9) Yohan Cabaye – £4.3m
Speaking of great Frenchmen to play for Newcastle United, Yohan Cabaye was as classy as they come when at St James’ Park, and played a crucial part in what felt like a French Revolution under Alan Pardew.
Most Newcastle fans still have a soft spot for the midfielder and it’s little surprise.
Cabaye played 93 times for the Magpies, scoring 18 goals and laying on 14 assists, which is a superb return given the small fee involved.
It is perhaps a surprise to see he actually played more games for Crystal Palace than Newcastle.
8) Demba Ba – Free Transfer
Before he was breaking Liverpool hearts, Demba Ba was scoring goals galore in an incredible striking duo with the soon-to-be-mentioned Papiss Cisse, having arrived for absolutely nothing.
By the time he left the Magpies, he had scored 29 goals in 58 games to earn the bigger move to Stamford Bridge.
He went on to impress at Chelsea, as well, although he could never quite recapture the magic of his spell at Newcastle.
He was some signing, having been snapped up from West Ham United.
7) Papiss Cisse – £10m
We told you we’d get to him.
Whenever we think of Cisse, we think of that stunning, near-impossible, goal against Chelsea with the outside of his boot.
And that sums his time at Newcastle up, in a way. The sheer brilliance to produce what some thought was impossible.
In the end, he scored 44 goals in 131 games for the club and is still going at the age of 37, playing for French club Amiens in Ligue 2.
6) Nolberto Solano – £2m
Newcastle’s talisman in all 315 of his appearances for the club, Nolberto Solano (still one of the best names in Premier League history) is one of the best to sign for the Magpies.
He arrived in January of 1998, before leaving his first spell in 2004, and joining again in 2006.
By the time that his second spell was over, Solano had 77 assists and 48 goals to his name.
He was an absolute bargain to start with, too, having been snapped up from the little-known Peruvian club Sporting Cristal.
5) Les Ferdinand – £6m
Where to start with Les Ferdinand?
The Premier League hasn’t seen many better strikers.
The Englishman scored 50 goals in 84 games for Newcastle United, and goes down as one of their best signings, before leaving for Tottenham.
With a total of 149 Premier League goals to his name, only a handful of players have scored more in the so-called ‘promised land’ than Ferdinand.
4) Andy Cole – £1.75m
If Ferdinand was good, then Andy Cole was incredible.
During his time at Newcastle United, the forward netted a prolific 68 goals in 84 appearances.
And, by the time that he was ready to hang up his golden boots, he had scored 187 Premier League goals.
It might seem like Newcastle snapped him up for next to nothing, but they actually broke their club transfer record to get him in.
Only three players have scored more in Premier League history: Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, and Alan Shearer. We’ll get to one of them…
3) Gary Speed – £5.5m
Gary Speed’s name sparks happy memories, but also ones of someone who was taken from us all far too soon.
He remains one of the best players to have signed for Newcastle United, with 285 appearances for the club cementing the legacy of the left-midfielder.
He played for the club between 1998 and 2004 and was a loyal servant before joining Bolton Wanderers.
A top player who is sorely missed.
2) Peter Beardsley – £150,000
One of the most naturally gifted players on this list and in Newcastle history, Peter Beardsley was some player, and he was snapped up on the cheap.
Whilst playing for the Magpies, he managed to score an incredible number of 118 goals in 314 appearances. To put it simply, Beardsley was phenomenal.
He didn’t win any team trophies at St James’ Park, but he did win the club’s Player of the Year award on two separate occasions.
A true icon of the game.
1) Alan Shearer – £15m
It was always going to be him at the top of this list, wasn’t it?
Every Newcastle fan’s hero; the biggest legend at the club; most impressive of all, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer with 260 goals, and briefly the most expensive player in the world.
In English football history, not many strikers can match Shearer, he was that good, and remains Newcastle’s greatest signing of the Premier League era.
He may well see his record disappear eventually; Harry Kane is now 60 goals behind him, but for now, he stands alone.
So, there you have it, Newcastle United’s best signings of the Premier League era. From Pardew’s French Revolution, to some of the Premier League’s greatest goalscorers, there’s some incredible players on this list. Now, as one of the richest clubs in world football, the Magpies will be hoping to see recent signings go on to enjoy similar legacies at the club.