Newcastle United have their fair share of cult heroes from the past.
Some of those players had successful careers at Newcastle United, others not so much. For Papiss Cisse, it was the former with the Senegalese striker hitting the ground running after signing for the Magpies in 2012, scoring 13 goals in his first 14 games at the club.
Cisse was a big part of why Newcastle qualified for the Europa League that season. His goalscoring prowess was exactly what Alan Pardew needed for his side at the time. Cisse formed a devastating attacking trio with Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa.
The striker left Newcastle in 2016 following relegation but he left his mark on the club, scoring 44 goals in 131 games. Cisse still loves Newcastle, even years after his exit, admitting at times he still feels ‘like a Newcastle player.
Cisse has been without a club since the end of the 2022/23 season, but he could be set for a shock return to football for a 10th-tier side in English football.
Papiss Cisse came close to signing for English non-league club
Even at 39, Cisse still believes he can do a job for any club. He proved during his playing career that he could perform in different leagues and countries.
Now, it has been revealed that Cisse was close to signing for Daisy Hill FC, a member of the North West Counties Football League First Division North. Social media star Aaron Hunt recently became Chairman of Daisy Hill having received a request from the owner of the club to put them on the map with his following.
Hunt revealed to YouTuber AngryGinge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, that he nearly had the former Toon star signed for the club.
“I spoke to Papiss Cisse about potentially coming in,” Hunt said.
“I had a chat with him because, right, I followed him and then he followed me back and started liking the stuff about Daisy Hill.
“I messaged him and I put: ‘Have you still got a pair of boots, Papiss?
“He was like yes, but his agent basically came in and said there’s club’s in for him next season, it wouldn’t be a good look for him to come here and play. I was like alright, play nowhere then!”
Cisse reunited with Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson, two former Newcastle players in the UAE recently, where Taylor managed third-tier side Al Qabila.
Papiss Cisse’s career after Newcastle
Cisse’s four years on Tyneside was undoubtedly the biggest move of his career. But he still proved to be a success elsewhere. Cisse signed for Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng in 2016 before signing for Alanyaspor in Turkey two years later. His 38 goals in 58 league games earned him a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce but he was unable to replicate the same levels of form.
A short stint at Caykur Rizespor followed before he signed or Ligue 2 side Amiens, scoring 10 goals in his only season at the club. He was released at the end of the season and has been without a club ever since.
In November 2023, Cisse began training with Macclesfield but a move never materialised. The striker still talks about his time at Newcastle and has even offered his opinion on current Toon stars.
Cisse praised Alexander Isak for his exceptional form last season, calling him a ‘proper striker’.
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