Newcastle United's side in the 2011/12 season will live long in the memory of fans.

The Magpies had a first-team squad littered with European talent under Alan Pardew in the 11/12 season.

Finishing a surprising fifth that season, the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse and Tim Krul fired the Toon Army to their highest league finish since 2005.

The player who excited fans most that season though, now spends his time away from the football pitch, plying his trade in a new sport.

Individual brilliance twinned with a bit of French arrogance, Ben Arfa is the true definition of a 'streets won't forget player'.

Screamers and wonder goals galore, the Frenchman's time on Tyneside will live long in the memory of the Toon Army.

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Hatem Ben Arfa and his Newcastle career Ben Arfa joined the Magpies in the summer of 2010 from French side Marseille. Initially joining on loan, the Frenchman would make his move permanent in the following January for an undisclosed fee.

After a debut substitute appearance against Blackpool, Ben Arfa would make his full debut against Everton, winning his side the match with a wonderstrike (something that would become a regular occurrence for him).

The attacker would play a huge part in the Magpies' success in the 11/12 season, single-handedly winning Newcastle games with his individual brilliance. Iconic goals against the likes of Bolton, etched Ben Arfa in Newcastle folk law.

The attacker would carry on his fine form into the next season but would see his playing minutes reduced to a recurring hamstring injury. The Frenchman would regain his fitness in the 13/14 season, starting the season with a bang, scoring a wonderful solo goal against Fulham in a 1-0 victory.

A fallout with the club would then see Ben Arfa leave on loan, joining fellow Premier League outfit Hull City. The loan however would be cut short after just four months, after Hull boss Steve Bruce stated he had "no idea" where Ben Arfa was.

The Frenchman's time at Newcastle would soon then come to an end, being released by the club in January 2015.

The following season Ben Arfa would join French giants PSG on a free transfer, his time in Paris though will not live long in the memory, failing to make a meaningful impact in the French capital.

The former Newcastle man would go to play for the likes of Rennes, Bordeaux and Lille before leaving the game.

And in typical Ben Arfa fashion, he is excellent at it.

The Frenchman has seemingly taken to the racket sport with ease, competing in 70 tournaments in a single year, ranking as 1342 out of 42300 competitive padel players in France (as of November 2023).

Roland Mermillod, a top padel official, highlighted Ben Arfa's passion for the sport, telling Le Perisan: "That's all he does now, he plays almost every day".

As Ben Arfa's football career fades into memory, the French maverick's exploits on Tyneside, will not be forgotten by Toon supporters. We wish Ben Arfa all the best with whatever he chooses to do post-football!