Explosive and unpredictable Colombian forward whose extravagant skill and powerful finishing lit up the Premier League at Newcastle United.
Faustino Hernán Asprilla Hinestroza was born in Tuluá, Colombia on 10 November 1969. Known as 'Tino', Asprilla was one of the most thrilling forwards of the 1990s — a blend of pace, trickery and raw power that made him virtually unplayable on his day. He began at Nacional and Atlético Junior before a £7m move to Parma in 1992, where he won the UEFA Cup in 1995 and the Copa Italia. Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan paid £7.5m for him in February 1996, and despite his inconsistency he became a cult hero at St James' Park, scoring a famous hat-trick against Barcelona in the Champions League in 1996-97. His individual brilliance and unorthodox lifestyle made him one of the most colourful personalities in football. For Colombia he scored 20 goals in 57 caps and appeared at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
UEFA Cup 1995
He scored a stunning hat-trick against Barcelona in the 1996-97 Champions League — arguably the finest individual performance by a Newcastle player in the club's history.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- UEFA Cup 1995
- Copa Italia 1992, 1993