Darlington this evening pulled off one of the biggest shocks in North-East football history by announcing the imminent signing of Colombian international Faustino Asprilla.

Asprilla could become a Darlington player by as early as Tuesday if he obtains a work permit from the Home Office and could make his debut at home to Carlisle at Feethams tomorrow night.

The former Newcastle United striker met Darlington's flamboyant chairman George Reynolds for talks at his luxury home in Weardale home last night.

A contract has already been drawn up and the Quakers' chief hopes to sign Asprilla, known as Tino, on a two year contract with an option for a further year.

Mr Reynolds has signed the Columbian, who has been playing football in South America, on a free transfer and hopes he will spearhead a promotion push towards to the Premiership.

Speaking to The Northern Echo last night, Asprilla said: "I am really happy. It is important for me to be in Darlington. I want to play in the Third Division because Darlington have the intention of getting to the Premier League."

Mr Reynolds, who would not disclose how much money he has offered Asprilla, said: "This is a good signing. I would also like to emphasise this is the third but not the last, I have other big players in mind but we're not going to waste any money. We're going to buy quality.

"We have got to move forward and if the fans get behind us, we'll do alright. I am very, very pleased for Darlington, he'll do a wonderful job for us and I hope and we'll do a wonderful job for him.

"We've drawn the contract. He hasn't signed yet because we've got to wait for word coming back from the Home Office and we've got the transfer window to think of, but I'm praying everything goes right."

Asprilla, 32, has enjoyed a colourful career with one of the high spots being a magnificent Champions League hat-trick for Newcastle against Barcelona in September 1997.

Asprilla cost the Magpies £7.5million in February 1996 when Kevin Keegan signed the Parma striker.

However, he returned to the Serie A club less than two years later for £6.5m as Keegan's successor Kenny Dalglish made changes in his squad. Since then he has struggled to capitalise on his undoubted talent despite spells with Palmeiras and Nacional, who recently released him.

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