Newcastle United fans will be singing Albert Luque’s name once again next season.
Luque arrived at Newcastle United for £9million in the summer of 2005 from Deportivo La Coruna, playing only 34 games in a two-year spell at St James’ Park.
The Spaniard’s stay on Tyneside was largely forgettable apart from one moment.
Indeed, Newcastle fans still sing about Luque’s goal against Sunderland in 2006, after the forward scored the fourth goal in what was a 4-1 win at the Stadium of Light.
That was a particularly notable victory, as it proved to be Alan Shearer’s final ever game in football. The Newcastle United legend scored a penalty, then suffered an injury that ruled him out of the rest of his final season in the sport.
With Sunderland back in the Premier League next season, the Luque song is bound to return – particularly if Eddie Howe’s side beat the Black Cats.
Still, the now-retired forward has admitted he was never happy at Newcastle.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Albert Luque confirms he was never happy at Newcastle United
Speaking to AS in a recent interview, Luque admits he did not enjoy his time playing for the Toon Army.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
He lasted only two years and scored three goals, so it was hardly a glory period in his career.
Luque admitted he was hoping for a move to Barcelona when leaving Deportivo and the fact he suffered a hamstring injury early on in his Newcastle career made the rest of his time at the club difficult.
“I will always be very grateful to Depor, the entire city, and all the Deportivo fans, but playing for Barca was a dream, and when that dream didn’t come true, Newcastle came and I went there, without even knowing where the city or the players of that team were,” he said.
“I suffered the most serious injury of my career. A difficult team; a great squad, with Alan Shearer and Michael Owen.
“But their football was very direct, very physical, very different from Spanish football. It was hard for me to adapt. I was never happy there, and I don’t really remember that time, in terms of sports, with any particular fondness.”
The number of Spanish players who have played for Newcastle United
Newcastle will officially sign Antonio Cordero in July and the teenage winger could become only the tenth Spanish player to represent the club.
Not many Spanish players have enjoyed huge success at Newcastle. Ayoze Perez was a key player under Rafa Benitez, while Mikel Merino shone briefly during his season on Tyneside.
Player Number of games
Ayoze Perez 195
Javier Manquillo 110
Jose Enrique 129
Joselu 52
Albert Luque 34
Mikel Merino 25
Marcelino 22
Xisco 11
Jesus Gamez 10
The nine Spanish players who have played for Newcastle United
Jose Enrique did enough during his time at Newcastle to earn a move to Liverpool but the Toon Army do not boast a proud tradition of successful Spanish players.
Unlike Luque, Cordero will no doubt hope to change that.
There is excitement about Cordero, though Newcastle will need to be patient. He looks set to leave on loan this summer but, hopefully, he can become a key player for the club in the years to come.