Former Barcelona and Romania star Gheorghe Hagi admits he came close to signing for Newcastle United.
Hagi starred for Real Madrid and Barcelona during a glittering career and was also a star of World Cup 94 in the United States.
He told the Games Gone Crazier blog: "I had the chance to join Newcastle when Kevin Keegan was manager and the deal nearly happened. But it was not to be.
"You have to have a real desire to play in England. You have to have a big heart, a hunger, a passion."
