Since its inception in 1992, the Premier League has been lit up by a host of charismatic stars and one individual stands out for Newcastle fans is Faustino Asprilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before we get into Asprilla’s Premier League exploits and his time at Newcastle United, let’s begin at the start of the Colombian’s football career and how he came to securing a move to England in the mid-90s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asprilla’s youth career began in Cali at the famed Carlos Sarmiento Lora football school, which has produced the likes of Mario Yepes and Faryd Mondragon, before being picked up by Cucuta Deportivo for his first professional chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having netted 17 times in 36 appearances, the forward was signed just a year later by Colombia’s most successful club, Atletico Nacional, enjoying a fruitful three-year spell in Medellin – winning two major trophies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was clear to see Apsrilla has that star quality about him and after being tracked by a host of Italian clubs, it was Parma who managed to acquire his services in 1992 after forking out \u00a311million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Colombian certainly had tongues wagging and, after just a year at the Serie A outfit, was named sixth in FIFA’s World Player of the Year Award, behind winner Roberto Baggio and fellow greats including Romario and Dennis Bergkamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asprilla won the Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Cup (twice), Coppa Italia and European Super Cup during his time with Parma but after falling out of favour in the first half of the 1995\/96 season, headed to Newcastle in February 1996 for \u00a36.7m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shots of Asprilla in a snowbound Newcastle wearing a fur coat, having just arrived on a private plane to complete his move from Parma, pretty much epitomised the new exciting world of the Premier League.
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