Newcastle cult hero lured out of retirement after two years by former teammate

Cisse is a St James' Park cult hero having joined the club in January 2012 and went on to form an iconic double act with Demba Ba.

The striker created many memorable moments for the Geordies but arguably the most unforgettable was his outside of the foot curler against Chelsea in 2012.

He scored 44 times for Newcastle in 131 appearances.

He left Newcastle four years later after their relegation to the Championship, moving abroad to Chinese side SD Luneng.

Cisse later went on to play in Turkey and France before he was invited to train with non-league club Macclesfield in 2023 who he did not join permanently.

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He was without a club for nearly two years and was signed to The Player Agency who help high-profile players look for clubs overseas after injuries and/or prolong their careers.

It is an opportunity granted to Cisse thanks to Steven Taylor who is now the head coach of the newly formed Al Qabila who play in the UAE Third Division League, the fourth tier of Emirati football.

Cisse said: "I'm thankful to The Player for the opportunity to enter the market in the UAE."

The Senegalese player has been given a contract till the end of the season.

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Taylor retired in 2021 and has been coaching in Dubai for the past three years.

Currently Al Qabila sit fourth in the league, 21 points away from promotion which goes to first and second place.

Cisse is a reminder to Newcastle times of very different times. In his highest league scoring season (2014/15) for Newcastle he netted 11 goals in 22 appearances but they still finished 15th.

Currently, the Magpies are Carabao Cup champions after beating Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday, earning their first trophy in 70 years.

They are also closing in on Champions League football, sitting sixth in the league, but can jump up to fourth if they win their game in hand.

And with the Premier League potentially earning a fifth Champions League spot this season entering European football looks to be made an easier task for head coach Eddie Howe.

A feat he completed in 2023/24 after a fourth placed finish the campaign prior.

The Newcastle side now features Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and many more who have etched their name into club history.