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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Isaac Stacey Stronge

'I begged Newcastle to sign Zidane. Kevin Keegan told me his chief scout thought he wasn’t good enough - years later, he told me he should have listened to me instead': The incredible story of how Newcastle United REJECTED Zinedine Zidane for just £1.2m

Zinedine Zidane holds the Champions League trophy after Real Madrid's victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 final at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

Newcastle United bafflingly turned down the chance to sign Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane in January 1996.

The Magpies were riding high under then-boss Kevin Keegan, having finished inside the top six twice on the bounce following promotion from the second tier in 1992/93, when agent Barry Silkman offered little-known Bordeaux talent Zidane to the north-east outfit.

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