Habib Beye Bio Send To Friend  

Beye made a quick return to the Premier League in August 2009, joining Aston Villa following Newcastle United's relegation to the Championship.

The Senegal international can operate at right-back or centre-back. He defender made three substitute appearances for Senegal at the 2002 World Cup.

Beye began his career in France with Paris St Germain but moved to RC Strasbourg after failing to break into the first team regularly.

After becoming a favourite at Strasbourg and a central part of their team he was snapped up by Marseille in 2003.

He featured in both legs of Marseille's UEFA Cup semi-final victory over Newcastle in 2004. He also played against former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce's Bolton team in the same competition.

Newcastle United completed his signing on transfer deadline day in August 2007 for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £2m.

A rare success among Sam Allardyce's summer spree of 2007, Beye became a fans favourite at Newcastle, who, impressed with his defending and attacking verve named him their 'Player of the Season' for 2007-08 and even devoted a terrace anthem in which his moniker is sung to the tune of the theme from 'Happy Days'.

After Newcastle's relegation the following season he signed for Villa, rejecting the chance to sign for Hull City, for a fee in the region of £6m. Beye played 54 games for Newcastle, scoring once.