Manchester United’s decision to loan Andy Kellett raised a few eyebrows…
Following what can only be described as one of the worst deadline days ever, with Manchester United’s loan signing of Bolton left-back Andy Kellett taking the headlines, CaughtOffside looks at the ten most bizarre Premier League ever signings.
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Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan – Leicester City) Free
Former Champions League winner, five time Serie A title holder Esteban Cambiasso was linked with a move to Tottenham and a move home to River Plate but stunned everyone by signing for newly-promoted Leicester City.
John Obi Mikel (Lyn – Manchester United – Chelsea) £16 million
This was bizarre because of the saga which preceded the transfer rather than the move itself. In April 2005 Mikel signed a contract with Manchester United but in January 2006 a counter claim was issued by Chelsea stating that they already had an agreement in place to sign the teenager.
Mikel then disappeared for nine days and Lyn chairman Morgan Andersen claimed the Blues had kidnapped the midfielder.
Upon his re-emergence he claimed he was pressured into signing the contract at Old Trafford and Chelsea was his first choice. In July 2006 a settlement was reached where the Blues paid £12 million to Manchester United and £4 million to Lyn.
Thomas Gravesen (Everton – Real Madrid) £2.5 million
Uncompromising and tough tackling Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen was transferred to Real Madrid and managed to make 34 appearances for Los Blancos. Fabio Capello left him out of the squad on many occasions though which led disputes between the two and he ultimately failed to impress at the Bernabeu.
Loic Remy (Marseille – QPR) £8 million
Remy was highly rated by many and some had even touted him as the ‘next Thierry Henry’. Linked with a host of top European clubs he arrived in England for a move to Newcastle United but failed to show up for the medical as he had instead traveled to west London due to a better offer from Premier League strugglers Queen’s Park Rangers. Unfortunately he couldn’t keep them in the top division and they were later relegated.
David Bellion (Sunderland – Manchester United) £2 million
Signed from a side who had accumulated a mere 19 points in 38 games with only one goal and 15 substitute appearances to his name it is hardly a surprise that David Bellion was a flop at Old Trafford.
Afonso Alves (Heerenveen – Middlesbrough) £12.8 million
Afonso Alves arrived at the Riverside with 45 goals to his name from an incredible 39 appearances at Dutch club Heerenveen. Unfortunately for Middlesbrough he never re-created this form in England and the Teesside club paid approximately £1.2 million per goal for the Brazilian.
Dong Fangzhuo (Dalian Shide – Manchester United) £500,000
After scoring two goals in 22 games, of which 14 were in the Chinese second division, Dong Fangzhuo’s mediocre form was rewarded with a move to one of the biggest clubs in world football. Perhaps unsurprisingly he swiftly moved back to China where he then suffered a 23 game goal drought.
Julien Faubert (West Ham United – Real Madrid) Loan
When Frenchman Julien Faubert was signed on loan by Real Madrid the entire footballing world stopped and questioned the wisdom behind the move. Faubert was pictured asleep on the Bernabeu bench in a game against Villarreal and also missed a day of training after mistakenly believing he had the day off.
He was on the next flight back to London.
Andy Carroll (Newcastle United – Liverpool) £35 million
If there is one transfer which screams panic buy then this is it. Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish was in charge at Anfield and had the task of re-investing the £50 million which Chelsea had paid them for Fernando Torres. Transfer deadline day can bring out the excited child in a lot of Premier League managers but Newcastle United must have thought all of their Christmases had come at once when they were offered £35 million for target man Andy Carroll.
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano (Corinthians – West Ham United) £25.6 million
When two of the most highly thought of South American prospects landed on the doorstep of Upton Park there was something which didn’t ring true. Sure enough West Ham were fined £5.5 million for withholding important contract documents as the players’ registration was owned by Iranian-born businessman Kia Joorabchian.