Shoot! would like to wish Nolberto Solano many happy returns as the Newcastle United legend celebrates his 42nd birthday today.

The former Peru international graced the Premier League between 1998 and 2008, appearing for the Magpies, Aston Villa and West Ham United, netting 49 top-flight goals during his spell in English football.

Solano, who joined Newcastle from Argentinian side Boca Juniors, became a firm fans favourite at St James’ Park due to his likeable personality, deadly set pieces and clinical crosses.

So, in honour of the Peruvian hero, Shoot! have picked out 10 facts you may not know about the former Newcastle United midfielder…

National Treasure

As well as being a legend for the Magpies, Peru’s adoration for Solano was on another level.

The midfielder was used in numerous amounts of adverts, whilst his wedding was broadcast live on national television!

Nobby’s Trumpet

Other than his fine footballing skills on the pitch, Solano was also a handy musician off it.

The 42-year-old was renowned as an accomplished trumpet player during his spell in English football, and even set up his own Salsa band, ‘The Geordie Latinos’.

Player to Manager

After hanging up his playing boots in 2012, Solano has made the common transition from former player to manager.

The Peruvian took his first step into management on a part-time basis with Newcastle Benfield four years ago, before moving onto the likes of Universitario and Jose Galvez in his native country, and then Internacional de Toronto of Canada in 2014.

Monkey Hanger

Despite gracing the Premier League for a decade, the midfielder also featured in the third-tier of English football.

Solano put pen to paper on a deal with then League One outfit Hartlepool United, having previously worked with former manager Mick Wadsworth at Newcastle.

To kick start his Hartlepool career, Solano would have loved the fact he scored against the Magpies’ fiercest rivals, Sunderland, in a pre-season friendly.

The Peru international scored two goals in 16 games for the Monkey Hangers during the 2011/12 campaign.

International Career

With an international career spanning 15 years, it is no surprise to see Solano’s name in Peru’s record books.

The 42-year-old is fifth in his country’s all-time leading appearance maker table, having earned 95 international caps for La Blanquirroja.

Solano is also joint-fifth on the all-time goalscoring chart, having netted 20 times, equalling Claudio Pizarro’s tally.

Six Siblings

Nolberto Solano is the youngest of seven children, with the ex-midfielder having four brothers and two sisters.

His father, Albino, was in the Peruvian Navy, before working as a taxi driver prior to retirement.

Meanwhile his mother, Janet, was a housewife.

Maradona Memories

Having joined Argentinian outfit Boca Juniors in 1997, a 22-year-old Solano played alongside the legendary Diego Maradona.

The 1986 FIFA World Cup winner even had a nickname for his new team-mate, Solano the ‘Maestrito’.

Professional Peruvian

Furthermore to writing his name in Peru’s record books, Solano became the first professional Peru-born footballer to play in England after joining Newcastle United for a reported £2.48m in 1998.

FA Cup Folklore

Nobby’s honours didn’t stop there neither!

Solano also became the first Peruvian to feature in an FA Cup final.

On May 22, 1999, the midfielder was part of the Newcastle United starting XI that lost 2-0 to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes scored for the Red Devils.

Rejected the Reds

During deadline day of the 2005 summer transfer window, then at Aston Villa, Solano turned down a move to Liverpool.

Instead, the Peru international opted for a return to Newcastle United, another reason why ‘Nobby’ is classed as a Magpies legend.