Newcastle United, where do we start? The Magpies are one of English football’s most iconic teams, with their black and white striped shirts famous far beyond these shores. The Tynesiders boast an excellent history and will always be remembered for that great side of the late 1990s who were famous for their entertaining football, and ultimate collapse.
Indeed, that’s been the story on the whole for the North East giants, who have always been ambitious, but have ultimately fallen short. And that is reflected in their transfer business, with the club having attempted to compete with their rivals, which has resulted in two relegations since the start of the 2008/09 season and little in terms of success on the pitch in the middle.
With all of this in mind, we at FFC Towers thought we’d take a look at the records, via Transfermarkt, to see just who they have spent their money on, and it’s been quite the voyage of discovery.
So sit down, buckle in and get ready for a chuckle, here are Newcastle’s top TEN most expensive players of all-time…
10 – Damien Duff (£13.18m)
After a stint at Chelsea in the early stages of the Roman Abramovich era, Duff departed to sign for Newcastle in 2006, and was seen as quite the coup at the time. The Irish winger was good in the black and white shirt initially, but he became a part of the decline at St. James Park that resulted in relegation to the Championship in 2009.
9 – Andros Townsend (£13.35m)
Townsend only stuck around at Newcastle for half of last season after coming in as a big-money January buy this year. The goals he often supplies from the right flank were seen as a potential relegation-escaping factor, but the England international, who netted four times, could not save the Magpies, who got their money back for him from Crystal Palace.
8 – Jonjo Shelvey (£13.60m)
Another player signed in January 2016 with an eye on avoiding relegation was Shelvey. The former Charlton Athletic youth star largely struggled through the back end of last season, but has since looked more at home in the Tyneside XI in the Championship. Although he’s not had a great start, the playmaker could prove an astute purchase.
7 – Obafemi Martins (£13.60m)
Signed from Inter Milan, getting Martins was seen as a major coup in 2006. The Nigerian, who was 21 when Newcastle bagged him, cost a fair chunk in terms of a fee, and was largely a flop in the North East. He will be remembered for being a part of the 2008/09 relegation team.
6 – Florian Thauvin (£15.60m)
Without doubt one of the worst signing in Newcastle history. The Frenchman only stuck around for half a season before moving back to Marseille (who he’d move to Newcastle from), on loan, on the back of 12 lifeless league appearances. He’s unlikely to return to Newcastle.
5 – Aleksandar Mitrovic (£15.73m)
The controversial Serbian has stayed with Newcastle since their drop to the second tier and seems intent on having another crack at the Premier League after a woeful debut campaign. There’s undoubted talent present, but his temperament threatens to write him off as a big money flop.
4 – Albert Luque (£17.00m)
It’s worth remembering that in 2005 Luque was a sought-after player. The Spanish winger/striker was a goal-machine in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruna, where he combined pace and skill with athleticism and strength. However, he failed to settle in England and, like so many others, couldn’t adapt to the nature of Premier League football.
3 – Georginio Wijnaldum (£17.00m)
As a measure of Newcastle’s ambition just over 12 months ago, Wijnaldum arrived at St. James’ Park after captaining PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title. He was talked about as a great prospect upon his arrival, but looked a little lost in a dysfunctional Magpies team, while then manager Steven McClaren failed to get the best from him. He’s since been excellent at Liverpool.
2 – Alan Shearer (£17.85m)
An undoubted success of a signing, Alan Shearer’s big-money move to Newcastle in 1996 was a defining deal for the club. The local lad lived and breathed the city and the football club and remains a hero despite his ill-fated, and short, reign as their manager in 2009.
1 – Michael Owen (£21.25m)
Synonymous with Newcastle’s decline ahead of 2009 relegation, Owen has been widely talked about as one of the worst signings in the club’s history. His famous injury issues saw the man signed from Real Madrid limited in terms of appearances, albeit his scoring record was not appalling.