Four crazy career moves following Gignac’s switch to Mexico
Former Marseille marksman and France international striker Andre-Pierre Gignac was recently involved in one of the summer’s most bizarre transfers so far, with last season’s second highest Ligue 1 goalscorer joining Mexican side Tigres.
No Mexican team has ever won the Copa Libertadores, equivalent to Europe’s Champions League, but Tigres have bolstered their attacking prowess significantly with Gignac’s acquisition ahead of a semi-final encounter with Brazilian outfit Internacional.
After such an unexpected switch from France to Mexico, here are five crazy career moves that caught the footballing world by surprise, including Gignac’s recent departure from Ligue 1.
Llega a Monterrey @10APG #Gignac #Tigres pic.twitter.com/nEh7ycKD1i
— CLUB TIGRES OFICIAL (@TigresOficial) June 18, 2015
Andre-Pierre Gignac
The fierce French frontman netted 21 Ligue 1 goals last term, and his nation is set to host Euro 2016 next year (4/1 with Coral to win), but probably this summer’s most shocking transfer was confirmed recently as the 29-year-old agreed to join Tigres in Mexico, becoming a rare European signing in the Liga MX.
Joining the in-form striker in Mexico will be Ikechukwu Uche, as the Villarreal attacker is expected to complete a deal as well, with a potential potent partnership with Gignac a mouth-watering prospect for the Tigres faithful.
Watch Gignac clinically dispatch past eventual French champions PSG in a Ligue 1 encounter last season.
Robbie Keane
Gordon Strachan’s Coventry City enjoyed the clinical goalscoring talents of a 20-year-old Dubliner for only one season, before Keane made a stunning £13 move to Inter Milan during the turn of the millennium.
However, the Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer endured a torrid term in Serie A, before a loan spell with Leeds United eventually ended in a permanent deal being agreed.
Watch Keane slot home a delightful double in his days for Coventry City before a switch to Inter Milan.
Esteban Cambiasso
After making over 300 appearances for Inter Milan, winning the treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010, this Argentina midfield maestro swapped the San Siro for the King Power Stadium.
Cambiasso was heavily linked with a move back to his native homeland to join River plate, but instead opted to join Premier League side Leicester City, and eventually helped them avoid relegation last season (9/2 to go down 2015/16).
Watch Cambiasso slot home past David de Gea in that famous 5-3 Leicester City triumph over Manchester United.
Fabrizio Ravanelli
This colourful character surprisingly joined Bryan Robson’s Middlesbrough from Juventus in 1996 for £7m, but an even bigger shock came in 2003 when he move to Scottish side Dundee united.
After making only five outings for the struggling Scots, Ravanelli moved on and the club went into administration with over £23m of debts.
Watch Ravanelli score from a seemingly impossible angle for Juventus in 1996 against Ajax.
Robinho
Could he do it on a wet, windy night in Stoke? Not exactly, but the Brazil international forward did manage a terrific treble against the Potters during a home clash at the Etihad.
However, this turned out to be one of the former AC Milan forward’s highlights, as he endured quite a troublesome stint with the Sky Blues, following a £32.5m move from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Even with his Samba talent, such a fee was excessive and wasn’t repaid in results, but the vastly wealthy City owners only spent more money to eventually claim domestic success. The current City crop are hoping to win back the Premier League crown next season and are 5/2 to do so.
See Robinho hit a hat-trick for Mark Hughes’ City side against Stoke City at the Etihad in 2008.
