Loads of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media to a post by the St. James’ Park outfit, wishing former striker Peter Lovenkrands a happy birthday.
Lovenkrands turned 40-years-old on Wednesday, January 29 and is remembered fondly by parts of the Toon faithful, having ‘destroyed the championship’ in Black and White.
The current Rangers youth coach spent three-and-a-half-years on Tyneside, after joining the Magpies on a free transfer from Bundesliga outfit FC Schalke 04 in January 2009 before heading for Birmingham City in 2012.
Joe Kinnear welcomed Lovenkrands to the North East as he sought to keep the club in the Premier League, and saw the 22-time Denmark international open his Newcastle account shortly before undergoing triple heart bypass surgery.
Was Lovenkrands our best ever free signing?
Yes
No
Lovenkrands went on to end the 2008/09 season with two further Premier League goals under interim boss Chris Hughton but could not prevent our relegation, though would score 13 times in the Championship as we clinched the second-tier title the following term.
Six goals in 25 Premier League games followed in 2010/11, but a blank record over nine top-flight appearances in ’11/12 saw United release the forward in the summer of 2012.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans noted Lovenkrands’ 40th birthday…
Get him back
— 🏴 (@MagicalMaximin) January 29, 2020
Fancy getting your kit back on?
— Matt (@MattDaw86111723) January 29, 2020
Does he fancy a game on Saturday?
— Phil (@Phil00310) January 29, 2020
Greatest free transfer ever! Tillykke med fødselsdagen Peter!
— Michael Phillips (@MDPhillips1987) January 29, 2020
What a player @lovenkrands11 destroyed the championship for the mags !
— TC (@_T_C_7) January 29, 2020
Proper player. Happy Birthday Peter!⚫️⚪️
— James Beedie (@17jamesbeedie) January 29, 2020
What a guy🙌🏻🖤
— Carla Devine (@CarlaDevine1) January 29, 2020
Love the guy! Happy birthday Peter!
— Jonny Dawson (@JonnyD400) January 29, 2020
One of my all time favorites.
“We signed him on a free, from Germany!”
Howay, Peter!
— Danne Med Skägget (@DanneMedSkagget) January 29, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, Steve Bruce has been given late hope of landing a €40m striker after a key deal collapsed.