West Ham United fans have taken to Twitter to wish former star Nolberto ‘Nobby’ Solano Happy Birthday.
The former Hammers and Newcastle star turns 43 today.
Solano, who joined West Ham in in 2007, spent only one season at the former Boleyn Ground, however became somewhat of a fan favourite during his short stint with the club.
During the 2007/2008 season, the Peruvian made 23 appearances and scored four goals in a Claret and Blue shirt, helping guide the Hammers to 10th placed Premier League finish.
Solano began his career with Sporting Cristal in Peru’s top division, before moving to Boca Juniors in 1997, where he became a team-mate of footballing legend Diego Maradona.
From here, ‘Nobby’ joined Newcastle United, where he spent the majority of his career in England – making over 230 appearances for the Magpies and scoring an impressive 38 times from midfield.
Solano now works in management, and was heavily touted to become Gillignham’s next boss during the summer, however it is his playing days – and famous free-kicks – that fans everywhere will remember most fondly.
https://twitter.com/d_aldo1/status/940530949481222144
Happy Birthday to Nobby Solano. Here's the best goal he ever scored https://t.co/yh8v1cGdC5
— Stevie Green (@StevieGreenXI) December 12, 2017
Happy birthday to Nolberto “Nobby” Solano, the first Peruvian to play in England when he signed for Newcastle Utd from Boca Juniors in 1998. pic.twitter.com/HLSTb5fm8v
— The Culture of Football Classics (@CFclassics) December 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/sirhammersessex/status/940587168757702657
Doesn't get any better than big nobby
— Ben Hoey (@BenHoey9) December 12, 2017
Happy birthday Nolberto Solano, the only man to be teammates with both Diego Maradona and Shola Ameobi. pic.twitter.com/DssZBY6unC
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) December 12, 2017
Nobby was a model professional and did a very good job on loan at Leicester towards the end of his career when others would have taken the pay cheque and coasted.
— Kevin Wesson (@KevinWessy) December 12, 2017
Maradona called him: El Maestrito.
— El penalty de Dybala (@10arnautovic) December 12, 2017
