Demba Ba has come to St James' Park coming at the age of 26 and suffered countless setbacks suffered before he took the first step on the professional ladder.
As a teenage he had unsuccessful trials at Watford, Barnsley, Swansea City, Lyon and Auxerre.
FC Rouen finally took a gamble on his services and he has had spells at Mouscron, Hoffenheim and West Ham United before arriving at Newcastle this summer.
Demba Ba: "My best quality is that mentally I am very strong.
"If you are a good, strong player you can thrive on pressure and expectation and rise to the challenge. Football is all about having fun. I will always be happy on a football pitch.
"When I was young and looking for a club, I went to Watford for a couple of months and I learned a hell of a lot. I hoped to get a contract, but it didn't work out. I was upset but I didn't give up. I had always wanted to play in English football.
"I went to Swansea and Barnsley, looking again. I tried to make those clubs take me but they didn't and, after a few months, I had to go back to France. But I never gave up.
"It helps that I have had to work hard to get where I am now at this great club. I have had setbacks. Everything happens in life for a reason, good and bad.
"It has worked out well for me to think I was turned down by Swansea and Barnsley and am now at a club as big as Newcastle.
"Stoke was not a good club for me. I do not have any regrets about that. A week later I had signed for West Ham.
"People will talk about my knee all my life. I will prove there is no problem by playing well and scoring goals.
"Let them talk. I am fit and healthy. Look at the stats from West Ham last season and I did that. I will let my football do the talking."
Offer To NU-Mad Fans Continues
Due to the amazing response from NU-Mad readers ... we have decided to continue our offer for you to buy "Magpies In Europe" for the amazing price of £5.99.
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'MAGPIES IN EUROPE'
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FOREWORD BY FAIRS CUP HERO JOHN McNAMEE
Latest reviews:
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Howay the Lads!
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
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