Newcastle United love a big-name signing.

There's something about the club that just appeals to some of football's top talents and that's why the club have got such a strong back catalogue of former stars.

Spending money is often what it takes to sign top players, but the Magpies have also had relative success in the free transfer market.

Here are some of the highest profile bargain deals to have graced St James' Park.

Signed in 1991 as a relative unknown, few would have predicted the sort of impact that the goalkeeper would make.

The Czech stopper went on to make over 150 appearances and established himself as a cult hero for the club before his sad passing in 2015.

He might not have been Newcastle United's best ever player, but he was surely the most loyal.

After joining from local side Seaham Red Star in 1993 the goalkeeper spent an impressive 20 years on Tyneside before moving on to pastures new.

After coming through the youth ranks at St James' Park, we've bent the rules slightly to include the midfielder in our list.

While he doesn't qualify first time around, Clark rejoined Newcastle on a free transfer in 2005 where he took his appearance tally to over 200 in black and white.

After coming through the ranks with Lyon the full-back moved to St James' Park in 2000 on a free transfer.

Bernard made over 100 appearances for the Magpies in four and a half years before rejoining the club for a less-than impressive second spell at the end of his career.

While he perhaps wasn't the most successful free transfer, there's no doubt that he was among the highest profile.

Kluivert spent 10 years at the top of the game with Ajax, AC Milan and Barcelona before moving to Tyneside for free where he enjoyed one decent season before moving on.

It's hard to argue with the impact that Demba Ba made after moving to Tyneside.

The striker scored an impressive 29 goals in 58 appearances in black and white before leaving to join Chelsea in a big-money deal.