Number 11 - Three Year Deal
By Carys Baptist
July 21 2004
Our New Number Eleven has signed a 3-year deal and worn the shirt next to a very proud Sir Bobby Robson despite all rumours leading fans to believe the deal would be a loan deal
Our New Number Eleven has signed a 3-year deal and worn the shirt next to a very proud Sir Bobby Robson despite all rumours leading fans to believe the deal would be a loan deal (with both Newcastle and Barcelona splitting the wage fee) and possibly leading to a permanent move!
As our Main signing of the summer it’s an idea to get to grips with his background and his footballing ability.
Whilst at Barcelona the striker (who wore the number 9 shirt) continued to score goals but the results weren’t so impressive due to team playing. Despite the goals going in the games weren’t being won well enough. As frustrating as this is for a team – its even more frustrating when you are doing all you can to reach the back of the net!
The 28year old born in Amsterdam on july 1st 1976 boasts the following goal records
1994/95 Ajax 18 in 25 appearances
1995/96 Ajax 15 in 28 appearances
1996/97 Ajax 6 in 17 appearances
1997/98 Milan 6 in 27 appearances
1998/99 Barcelona 14 in 35 appearances
1999/00 15 in 26 appearances
2000/01 17 in 31 appearances
2001/02 18 in 33 appearances
2002/03 16 in 35 appearances
2003/04 8 in 21 appearances
An impressive 133 goals in 278 appearances
Despite being rested over the last few International games Kluivert is on top form and is looking forward to a long career at Newcastle.
"It's a great club with great players and I hope I can fit in. I hope in the year that's coming they are going to be in the Champions League. It's an honour to play for such a passionate audience. I was never concerned (about the delay in the deal). This is a place I want to be. I know a lot about him (Shearer), playing with him will be fantastic."
During today’s press conference he keenly put his new number 11 shirt on in front of the cameras and gave Sir Bobby a huge confidence boost by noticeably being pleased about the transfer.
"I've known Patrick for many years...he's a player of immense experience and great stature. He's played for the top clubs in his career. I think he's got the best years of his career ahead of him."
Throughout his playing career Kluivert has had to carry out several match bans for his behaviour on the pitch including 1999, Oct: Four-match ban for comments made to the referee 2000, Jan: Five-match ban for punching Rayo Vallecano defender Jesus Cota 2003, June: Four-match ban for aggression after a scuffle with defender Angel And off the pitch when in 1996/97 he was found guilty dangerous driving in which a driver died and female passenger was seriously injured. He was given 240 hours of community service and a 2months suspended jail sentence. And after joining A.C. Milan in 1997 he was one of three accused of Rape - the charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.
So finally we have our big signing to follow suit with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester united and after TWO YEARS of speculation, Patrick Kluivert has finally made the move to Newcastle!