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Nolberto Solano

In the summer of 1998, Newcastle United manager Kenny Dalglish spotted a young footballing talent at Boca Juniors in Argentina. He was signed up by Newcastle. This was a historic moment for Newcastle as no Peruvian player had ever pulled on the Black and White. On August 22nd that changed when Solano came on as a substitute replacing. Andreas Anderson in a match against Chelsea. Solano performances at first caused fans to questions the decision to sign him, even midfielder Gary Speed announced his confusion.

Many supporters first saw the Peruvian as lazy and it wasn't until the arrival of Sir Bobby Robson in 1999 that made Solano a hero on Tyneside. Nolberto Solano was an excellent provider of goals, especially for Alan Shearer. Newcastle would just get the ball, play it out wide to Solano and he would cross for Shearer to score. As well as providing goals he could also score them, his long range shooting was a joy to behold and he was superb at curling free kicks into the corner of the net. Time after time, Solano became a hero for Newcastle, coming up with something special when it was nearly needed, and in 2001 Bobby Robson realised his team would be more effective if he had a left sided winger who could score goals and cross the ball just like Solano.

In 2001, Bobby Robson paid just under £10,000,000 for Laurent Robert. Solano himself at the time commented on his joy at the signing and saying the club had not had a decent pair of wingers since Gillespie and Ginola, Robsons plan of pairing Solano and Robert on the wings would help fire Newcastle into the Champions League in 2002-2003, but Solano did lose his right to take free kicks as Robert was far more deadly.

Solano loyalty to his country, however, would test is managers resolve. Bobby Robson was unhappy that Solano would travel half way across the world for meaningless friendlies, the disagreements continued. It was reporter in late 2003 that Solano had walked out oft he stadium ahead of a big game against Middlesbrough after finding out he was not in the starting line. Lee Bowyer had been named on right midfield. Ironically it was Bowyer to created the only goal of the game for Shola Ameobi as Newcastle won 1-0.

In January 2004 Solano was sold to Aston Villa for £1,500,000 and many fans voiced their anger over his sale. He didn't stay gone for long though. Bobby Robson was sacked at the start of the next season and Graeme Souness came in. In the summer of 2005 on the final day of the transfer window, 20,000 fans turned up at St.James' Park to welcome new signing Michael Owen, once the unveiling had finished and Owen had left, the fans chanted for Solano's return and that very same day, just moments before the transfer window closed, Newcastle resigned Solano for the same fee they had sold him for, and with James Milner going the opposite direction on loan.

In 2006-2007, Solano showed his real versatility, a long term injury to right back Stephen Carr to an already badly injury hit rearguard left Newcastle short on options. Solano would play the majority of this season in a fullback position.

In 2007 he was allowed to move on and joined West Ham United.

Info

Full name: Nolberto Albino Solano Todco
DOB: 12th December 1974
Place of Birth: Callao, Peru
Position: Midfield

Facts

Nobby is the first Peruvian ever to play in the Premier League.

Nobby is an accomplished trumpet player and set up his own salsa band known as 'The Geordie Latinos'.

Newcastle re-signed Nol Solano in 2005 after fans called form his return during Michael Owens unveiling.