Faustino Asprilla has completed his transfer from Newcastle back to Italian club Parma.

The Colombian striker signed a three-and-a-half year deal.

Newcastle received 18 million lire - about £6.1m - for the 28-year-oldl, who cost the Magpies £7.5m when he moved from Parma to Tyneside in February 1996.

The inspirational but often infuriating Asprilla returns to the club where he won the UEFA Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the European Super Cup in a first spell lasting three-and-a-half seasons.

The move brings to an end Asprilla's rollercoaster two years on Tyneside - the high point being his mid-September Champions' League hat-trick against Spanish giants Barcelona.

Asprilla showed only flashes of the genius which prompted former boss Kevin Keegan to make a signing which was looked upon as bizarre at the time.

On his debut, however, the South American immediately endeared himself to the Toon Army of fans after coming on as a substitute with 17 minutes to go at bitter rivals Middlesbrough and turning a potential 1-0 loss into a 2-1 win, setting up both goals.

Always a favourite with the Geordie fans, he left on a bitter note, amid criticisms of his commitment and allegations he was a bad influence in the dressing room.

Asprilla said he always got on with players. But he left by taking a swipe at manager Kenny Dalglish at the weekend, accusing him of destroying Keegan's title-challenging team.
 

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