Veteran
former Argentinian international Fabricio Coloccini is to leave relegated
Premier League club Newcastle and join Pope Francis’ favourite team San Lorenzo
in his native Argentina.
The 34-year-old no-nonsense old school central
defender — who won 39 caps after starring in the Under-20 world championship
win in 2001 and then the 2004 Olympic gold medal team coached by Marcelo Bielsa
— came to a mutual agreement with Newcastle to terminate his contract.
Coloccini, who played for San Lorenzo on loan back in the 2000/2001 season and
won the ‘Clausura title’, joined Newcastle in August 2008 from Spanish side
Deportivo La Coruna for £10.3million ($13.4m, 12m euros) and rose to become the
Magpies skipper in the 2011/12 campaign.
In total, Coloccini made 275
appearances for United in all competitions, scoring seven goals.
“It is rare in
football these days that a player gives such length of service to one club and i would like to thank ‘Colo’ for his contribution to Newcastle United since he
joined us before the start of the 2008/09 season,” said Newcastle managing
director Lee Charnley. “In the eight years he has been with us, Colo has become
a firm friend and colleague to many players and staff, past and present, who i know will miss him.”
Labels: Fabricio Coloccini, Fabricio Coloccini bids farewell to Newcastle United FC
