By Matthew Jones
August 25 2002

Former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla is poised to join Third Division Darlington - and wants to lead them to promotion. Former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla is poised to join Third Division Darlington - and wants to lead them to promotion.

The bandy-legged Colombian was a massive hit on Tyneside after joining the Magpies from Italian side Parma for £6.7m in 1996. And the 32-year-old, who is without a club after being released by Atletico Nacional of Colombia, could soon be setting Feethams alight with his silky skills.

Asprilla is apparently good friends with Quakers chairman George Reynolds, and he said: "I am a friend of the president and I want to help him to manage and take the team into the Second Division, so I am going to play again in England.
"I am ready to hear what the coach wants from me and I am ready to learn more things and to give all I know.

"I've kept good links with England. I have great friends there and it would be great to play again in the Premiership."

Asprilla was recently guest of honour at St James' Park for Newcastle's friendly against Barcelona. The Colombian is a hero on Tyneside after his hat-trick inspired the Magpies to a 3-2 Champions League victory over the Catalan giants in 1997.