Philippe Albert

Regarded as one of the greatest Belgian soccer center-backs of all time Philippe Albert was feared as "The Bouillon Lumberjack" during his spell in Belgium with Charleroi, but especially KV Mechelen and RSC Anderlecht for which he achieved major success throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1994 came a move to the English Premier League. Albert played for Newcastle United for four and a half seasons. A part of Kevin Keegan's "Entertainers", he usually partnered Darren Peacock in the Magpies' defense. In 1996, he became runner-up with them in a historic league campaign, behind Manchester United. He left Newcastle in 1999. A two-time Belgian league winner with RSC Anderlecht, in 1992 he won the Golden Shoe awarded to the Best Player of the Year in Belgium. After an injury burden, Albert retired in 2000. At Charleroi, where he started his senior career. Albert was capped 41 times for Belgium, representing the country at the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups.