Newcastle enjoyed an extremely eventful season in the Premier League 12 years ago, starting with the summer window in 2005.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
With Newcastle United seemingly on the verge of securing promotion back to the Premier League, Rafa Benitez will know how important the summer will be in terms of transfers as the Magpies look to re-establish themselves at the highest level.
With that in mind, HITC Sport is taking a look back at some of the most eventful transfer windows Newcastle have enjoyed or endured, starting with the summer window of 2005.
The previous season
The 2004/05 season represented the end of an era for Newcastle with the legendary Sir Bobby Robson leaving early on in the campaign. Graeme Souness delivered a 14th place finish in the top flight.
Who left?
Amongst the high profile names to leave St James’ Park in the summer of 2005 were the likes of Jermaine Jenas – who left for Tottenham in a deal worth £7 million (via BBC Sport) – and Craig Bellamy, who headed to Blackburn. The Magpies also allowed several first-team players to leave on loan, with Nicky Butt, Hugo Viana, James Milner and Laurent Robert all securing temporary exits.
Who came in?
Despite spending fairly big during the summer, it is fair to say that Newcastle probably would not reflect that they spent the money wisely.
The Magpies signed Nolberto Solano back from Aston Villa, while Lee Clark returned on a short-term deal eight years after his initial departure.
Like Clark, Craig Moore signed on a free transfer, while Tim Krul also joined the side in 2005, but it was on their other four signings that the club really flashed the cash.
Emre arrived for £3.8 million (via BBC Sport), Scott Parker came in for £6.5 million (via BBC Sport) after his disappointing spell with Chelsea and Albert Luque cost the Magpies £9.5 million (via BBC Sport).
All three deals were somewhat overshadowed however, as Newcastle tried to recreate the magic that came from signing Alan Shearer nine years earlier, as Michael Owen became their then-most expensive signing, joining for £17 million from Real Madrid (via BBC Sport).
What happened?
Newcastle had endured a fairly miserable season by the time that Souness was sacked in February. A great run under Glenn Roeder saw them finish seventh in the Premier League in Shearer’s final season before retirement.
Owen, Emre and Luque contributed just 10 league goals between them, with the former scoring seven of them. In fairness to the £17 million man, injury played a big part in his campaign.
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