The second of Kenny Dalgish's major European international pre-season imports,
Danish international Jon was already, at 20, one of soccer's hottest young
properties. Numerous clubs at home and abroad challenged Newcastle for
his signature, but after helping his team, Heerenveen of Holland, to the
1997 Dutch Cup Final, Jon announced he had chosen to sign for Kenny Dalglish's
side. Jon has become a hero in Denmark despite playing in Holland since
the age of 17. A clause in his contract with Heerenveen entitled them to
around £2.2m 'compensation' for the transfer, but for a player valued
at more than twice that, the fee is a bargain. Made his debut for Denmark
in the World Cup tie in Croatia in March 1997, aged 20.
