2022 marks 30 years since Premier League football arrived in England and changed the beautiful game as we all know it. Newcastle United have enjoyed their fair share of magical moments in the league, along with plenty of heartbreak too.
Signings have come and gone over the years but a select few stand out for their efforts in a black and white shirt. To mark the anniversary, Chronicle Live has ranked Newcastle United's 30 greatest signings of the Premier League era and will be sharing the results across the weekend.
As ever, let us know your thoughts and whether you agree or disagree in the comments section. Here are the players who made it from 30th-21st place.
30) David Batty
Batty was a revolutionary in English football. Before the Makelele role was glorified, the former Leeds United man was winning midfield battles and protecting back fours for several top-flight clubs.
Newcastle were Batty’s beneficiary for two years in the mid-90s. He helped the club reach the 1998 FA Cup final but that ended in heartbreak as Arsenal won 2-0.
29) Ayoze Perez
Perez was signed as a rookie in 2014 and, by the time he left, was an established Premier League player. Being thrown into the top flight from Tenerife was a challenge in itself, aside from the turmoil engulfing Newcastle off the pitch.
The Mike Ashley era was largely forgettable but Perez finished as top scorer during his reign, with 48 strikes. A move to Leicester City for £30million meant United made a tidy £29million profit on the Spaniard.
28) Darren Peacock
If Philippe Albert was the “flashy’ centre-back, Peacock was the “steady Eddie” who helped form some sort of stability in defence. Four years on Tyneside saw him almost reach the pinnacle in 1995-96… but we all know how that turned out.
27) Allan Saint-Maximin
Like other French mavericks further up this list, Saint-Maximin has dazzled at St James’ Park on numerous occasions and is the modern incarnation of his compatriots. Consistent performances under Howe could see the 25-year-old become a Newcastle great.
26) Cheick Tiote
Signed as a relative unknown in 2010, Tiote quickly made his presence known in the Premier League. His last-gasp volley against Arsenal the following February to snatch a 4-4 draw is one of the top flight’s greatest ever moments and etched the Ivorian into Geordie folklore.
Sadly, Tiote passed away after a cardiac arrest, aged 30, in 2017.
25) Philippe Albert
Another “Entertainers Era” stalwart, Albert was a flashy, unconventional centre-back who loved to get forward as much as defending. Chipping Peter Schmeichel in the dying embers of that famous 5-0 win over Manchester United was his finest hour in Newcastle colours.
24) Tino Asprilla
The charismatic, often crazy Columbian is remembered more for his European exploits than at domestic level. An underwhelming nine goals in 48 Premier League appearances hardly puts him alongside Shearer or Jackie Milburn as the club’s greatest goalscorers.
However, nine strikes in 11 Champions League games provided some memorable moments for Newcastle fans - including that historic hat-trick against Barcelona.
23) Warren Barton
Seven years of service makes Barton a well-respected former Toon player. The right-back told ChronicleLive earlier this year he had “nothing left to give” when Sir Bobby Robson said his time was up in 2002.
Now living in the US, Barton is an adopted Newcastle supporter and regularly comments on the team’s fortunes.
22) Kieron Dyer
Dyer joined in July 1999 after breaking through the system at Ipswich Town. Failure to achieve top-flight promotion saw Newcastle swoop in and, before long, an England call-up manifested.
The midfielder spent the bulk of his career at St James’ Park, playing in the Champions League with Sir Bobby Robson. His quality is often overshadowed by injury troubles and his infamous on-field fight with Lee Bowyer.
21) Hatem Ben Arfa
Initially signed on loan, Ben Arfa broke his leg just four games into his Newcastle career. Despite the obvious risk, Toon chiefs took a punt on the Frenchman and signed him permanently the following summer.
Mesmerising, eccentric but, at times, frustrating… Ben Arfa was a flawed genius who played his best football at St James’ Park. A bust-up with Alan Pardew cut his United career short.
The next instalment will be available from 3pm Saturday as we countdown from 20th-11th place. Agree with our picks so far? Let us know in the comments section
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