Sat 05 Apr 08
Newcastle 3
Reading 0
Goal

Sat 22 Mar 08
Newcastle 2
Fulham 0
Goal

Wed 26 Dec 07
Wigan 1
Newcastle 0
Missed Chance

Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
Date Signed: June 7, 2007
NUFC Debut: August 11, 2007 v Bolton Wanderers (a)

International career
43 Australian caps, 11 goals

Mark Viduka was Sam Allardyce's first signing as manager of Newcastle United on 7 June 2007 when the 31-year-old Australian put pen to paper on a two-year-deal at St. James' Park, joining on a free transfer from North East rivals Middlesbrough.

Of Croatian and Ukrainian descent, Viduka started his career in Australia (where he is affectionately known as 'Big Dukes') with Melbourne Knights in 1993. A year later he won his first Australian international cap in June 1994, a 1- 0 win over South Africa.

In his two seasons with the Melbourne Knights he was top goal scorer in the National Soccer League (40 goals in 48 games) and was twice awarded the Johnny Warren Medal for NSL Player of the Year. Viduka's time at the Melbourne Knights included one NSL title in season 1994/1995.

Europe beckoned and in 1995 he moved to Croatia to play with Croatia Zagreb, where he stayed for three years scoring 40 goals in 82 games. Viduka even lined up against United for Zagreb in August 1997 when the two sides met in the Champions League Qualifying Round.

The grandstand at Knights' Stadium, home of the Melbourne Knights was renamed the Mark Viduka Stand in his honour and paid for with the transfer fee received from Zagreb. Celtic bought him in December 1998 for £3.5m. He was voted Scottish Premier League Player of the Year after scoring 27 goals in his first full season at Celtic Park and was also honoured with the Oceania Player of the Year Award.

Viewed as a skilful player, able to hold the ball up well and bring other players into the game, Leeds United manager David O'Leary signed the burly striker just before the 2000-01 season for £6m. At Leeds he formed a profitable partnership with Alan Smith in Leeds' UEFA Champions League matches as the Elland Road outfit reached the semi finals of the competition before falling to Valencia.

In his first Premiership season, Viduka scored 22 goals, including all four in a memorable 4-3 win over Liverpool at Elland Road. In the next two seasons he scored 16 and 22 goals respectively but as Leeds slipped into the Football League Championship in May 2004, despite another 12 strikes,the sale of Viduka to Middlesbrough was completed in July 2004 for £4.5m.

Viduka's debut season at Middlesbrough was initially impressive, albeit frustrated by injuries. In the 2005/06 season however, Viduka was in sensational form in all competitions for Middlesbrough getting into double figures early on in the season.

Viduka also played an important part in spearheading Middlesbrough's campaign in the UEFA Cup where they eventually lost in the final to Spanish side Sevilla. That summer Mark captained Australia at the 2006 World Cup in Australia, the Aussies being eliminated by eventual winners Italy in the second round.

The following season, 2006/07, he finished as Boro's top scorer with 19 goals from 29 starts. Off the field Viduka had a song written about him by English singer/songwriter and Middlesbrough fan, Alistair Griffin, the song has now been released as a charity download single.

Viduka is also a fan of Australian rules football and supports Collingwood Football Club.