The pair last came up against each other in March 2004 when an 18-year-old Taylor was handed a senior debut as a late substitute as the Magpies completed a 7-1 aggregate victory over Real Mallorca in the Balearics on their way to the UEFA Cup semi-finals.
Taylor and Eto’o swapped shirts after the game and, while the defender still has his souvenir as a prized possession, he is not so sure the much-travelled striker, now plying his trade at Anzhi Makhachkala, will have been as impressed.
Steven Taylor: "I remember that - he’s probably still got my shirt as his duster! He might bring it to the game with cobwebs on it.
"I never thought I would play against him again. He won’t have a clue who I am, no chance!
"To have the chance of playing against a top-quality player like him is good. I’ve still got his shirt - it’s framed."
Well the reunion came at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday evening when Anzhi hosted Newcastle in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.
And when Taylor was introduced as a late substitute ... Eto'o made a point of going over to shake his hand.
He obviously DID know him!