• Premier League

Newcastle give up on Xisco

Alan Pardew has cut his losses with striker Xisco © PA Photos

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Newcastle have confirmed that spanish striker Xisco has had his contract with the club terminated by mutual consent.

Xisco, 26, joined the Magpies from Deportivo La Coruna in 2008, signing a five-year deal at a cost of £5.7million, and was oft associated with the ill-fated tenure of Dennis Wise.

Despite scoring on his Premier League debut against Hull City, the former Spanish U21 international found opportunities limited on Tyneside, making just four more appearances as the club were relegated in May 2009.

Having been loaned back to Spain - first with Racing Santander and then former club Deportivo - his last appearance for the Magpies came as a late substitute in a 6-0 demolition of Aston Villa in August 2010.

There had been hope the striker may make a return to the first team after a string of impressive performances for the club's development squad, which included a hat-trick against Stoke City in October.

Speaking at the time, he said: "Maybe there is a happy chapter still to come for me with Newcastle. In football, these things can happen - all I can do is try my best. We'll see after that what happens.

"Sometimes it has been hard here for me. When I came here I was happy to sign, I wanted to play for the first team. I haven't always had that chance."

Earlier this week, Xisco was linked with a return to his homeland with second division side Cordoba and reports in Spain claim the forward has signed an 18-month deal with the Blanquiverdes as they look to replace Pepe Diaz, who joined Real Oviedo earlier this month.

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