Nolberto Solano

Cultured midfielder Nolberto `Nobby` Solano began his illustrious career in his native Peru, and as a youngster he was part of the celebrated Sporting Cristal squad that won the Peruvian Championship three years running from 1994. He moved to Argentina in 1997 and he played for a year alongside Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors. The Argentine superstar was impressed with his diminuitive teammate, christening him El Maestrito (the little maestro).

Solano became the first Peruvian to play in England when he joined Kenny Dalglish`s Newcastle United in 1998. The signing was one of Dalglish`s last acts as manager but Solano went on to be a resounding success, one of St James Park`s most popular ever players. He spent 5½ years on Tyneside before being controversially sold to Aston Villa and enjoyed a successful second spell at Newcastle a couple of years later. On leaving the north-east for a second time, Solano became something of a wanderer. A year at West Ham was followed by spells in Greece and back home in Peru. He returned to England in January 2010 and had brief stints at Leicester and Hull. On 13th May 2011, Pools announced that the stylish midfielder was coming to Victoria Park.

That summer saw the launch of a remarkable season ticket offer which resulted in almost 6000 being shifted at a knock-down price of £100. Solano`s signing no doubt helped shift a few of those tickets so his arrival was seen as something of a no-lose situation. On the pitch, the early part of 2011/12 saw a number of classy cameos from the Peruvian, and he scored a couple of lovely goals against Bury and Bournemouth. Solano`s season then petered out. He played just 17 minutes of football after Christmas and, after some confusion regarding a no-show at a reserve match and a rumoured retirement announcement, the club announced that he was unwell. He was released in May 2012.