Abdoulaye Faye Bio Send To Friend  

Sam Allardyce signed a player he had become used to working with when he signed for the Magpies on transfer deadline day August 31 2007 from Bolton for a fee said to be around £2m.

Faye had impressed for Bolton with his strong tackling and exceptional aerial presence being used in both defence and in midfield.

However, like many of Allardyce's imports, the 2007/8 season was not a hugely successful one for Faye as Newcastle struggled in defence, even after Sam departed the scene in January 2008.

Big Sam's Bolton signed Faye, a powerful, versatile midfielder for the 2005/06 season from Racing Club Lens, initially on loan.

Subsequent performances however earned him a regular place in the Bolton team and a permanent move.

The midfielder began his career with Senegalese champions Jeanne D'Arc of Dakar. He arrived at Lens in 2002 and played 35 games before moving to Ligue 1 club Istres on loan ahead of the 2004/05 season..