Hey, it's Nolberto Albino Solano Todco’s birthday! Or, to you and me, Nobby Solano. The former Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder was the first Peruvian to ever play in the Premier League and he might just be one of the most under-rated players in recent history, too.What a career he had, though. Spreading from Larissa to Hartlepool United, Solano’s elegance and magical guile were a treat for any football fan. Considered more of a creator than a potent finisher, Solano was a man that loved to score a cracking goal. Whether it was a dead ball or just sweeping home at the end of a flowing move, there were bound to be a few scorchers in a career that included over 100 goals.

Capped over 90 times by Peru, Solano is a Newcastle United legend and a national hero in Peru.

So, as he turns 42, let’s celebrate FIVE of Solano’s greatest goals…

Pure Gold

Yeah, that’s right, Lee Bowyer was involved in this goal. Unsurprisingly, that isn’t really why it made this list.

A goal for the purists, this one. All reasonable logic suggests a left-footed attempt, or even flashing it across the goal with his right, but Solano pulls out one of the sweetest outside-the-boot strikes in Premier League history. Few goals are more enjoyable than this, a real gem from a special footballer.

He might make it look unnervingly easy, but that’s some skill…

Leaping Finish

Okay, so he’s only about seven yards from goal, but the acrobatics from Solano to fire this into the net are quite extraordinary. Spinning and smashing it into the roof of the goal, Solano’s initial touch to set himself is as impressive as the finish itself.

Light-footed, agile and emphatic, there was little the defenders could do to stop him.

Does my back in even looking at someone move like that…

He did it again?!

Yep, that’s right, its another outside of the boot finish from everyone’s favourite Peruvian. Ending a rather scrappy period of play, Solano glides down the right side of Arsenal’s box and drives the ball into the far corner of the net.

Hit as sweetly as you will ever see, the ball races into the far corner of the net before Arsenal’s ‘keeper can even react. It’s a goal that seems to get more impressive with each watch, so feel free to spend your day doing just that.

Just ignore the ‘keeper

So, the ‘keeper hasn’t covered himself in glory here. Edwin van der Sar is one of the best goalkeepers in recent memory, but even he couldn’t cope with this sweetly struck corker from Solano.

This goal really is sheer class, mind. Van der Sar will not have been too proud of his efforts, admittedly, but the Peruvian has perfectly judged his shot. With enough pace to catch the Dutchman off-guard and at the correct angle to go up and over the wall, this finish was deserving of a place on the list.

Hammers Delight

It's not a great time to be a Hammer, is it? Well, there have been happier days for the Irons and none other than when Solano dinked in this beauty in the sunshine. Amidst his glittering career, Solano proved himself as a truly gifted free-kick taker, despite all the rivals for dead ball duties in the Newcastle squad particularly.

The video itself might not be the best, but it’s a welcome reminder of Solano’s brief spell with West Ham.