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Most Stunning Football Signings And Transfers In History

Most Stunning Football Signings And Transfers In History

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We all get attached to our favorite athletes, whether they happen to be from our hometown or from across the world and playing for our team. So when they get transferred, it can be wrenching or thrilling, depending on what side you’re on. Sometimes, those transfers and signings create some of the most spectacular moments in sports history. Here are 10 of the most stunning football signings and transfers ever.

Sources: BleacherReport.com, Independent.co.uk, FIFA.com

Commons.Wikimedia.org
Commons.Wikimedia.org

Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid

When Cristiano Ronaldo made the move to Real Madrid, the £80-million ($135 million US) transfer fee was the world record for the highest in football history. But even beyond the price tag, it was momentous as Ronaldo had just helped Manchester United win its third straight league title and the Champions League, and was the first Premier League player to be named FIFA World Player of the year. So it was understandable that English fans weren’t entirely pleased to watch him jump ship to Spain, where he became the only person ever win the European Golden Shoe in two different leagues. Needless to say, he’s still doing alright.

Commons.Wikimedia.org
Commons.Wikimedia.org

Steve McManaman to Real Madrid

Back in 1999, it wasn’t all that common for star English footballers to head to Spain. Steve McManaman made headlines when he left Liverpool after negotiations broke down, and left the club as a free agent. Initially, he was meant to head to Barcelona, but he ended up at Real Madrid, where he would go on to become the first British footballer to win the Champions League twice.

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy

Football, or soccer to Americans, has never had quite the same caché in the U.S. as in Africa or Europe, but David Beckham gave it a pretty big push when he jumped across the pond in 2007 to play with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The high-profile acquisition did wonders for Major League Soccer, as Beckham helped draw other big stars over to the States to play. Some say that Pele’s decision to join the New York Cosmos in 1975 was bigger, but given that the MLS has really only just started to get significant traction in the States in the last decade or so, we’re giving the credit to Beckham.

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

Gareth Bale to Real Madrid

When it comes to dollar amounts, nobody surpasses Gareth Bale, who holds the record for the most expensive player in football history when he transferred from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 for a cool £86 million ($145 million US). He played a critical role at Real Madrid last season, helping the club win the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, but still, that’s a hefty price tag.

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

Júlio César to Queens Park Rangers

Júlio César is Brazil’s acclaimed No. 1 goalkeeper, appearing for the national team in both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups as a critical component of the team. But to many people’s surprise, he signed with the Queens Park Rangers, a second-tier team that fluctuates between Premier League and Football League Championship status. Even at this level, César is often relegated to the bench, a surprising move for such a high-profile and talented footballer.

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

Alfred Di Stefano to Real Madrid

Di Stefano makes the list because it may just be the most divisive transfers in football history. It inspired the Spanish Federation to ban foreign players for a while following the entire ordeal. Basically, Alfred Di Stefano was supposed to head to Barcelona in 1953, but his current team, the Colombian Millionarios Fútbol Club, wouldn’t let him leave. Real Madrid got involved, and eventually it was decided that Di Stefano would play two seasons each for Barca and Real Madrid. But then Real Madrid was mad at that too, and dropped his deal entirely. Eventually he went to Real Madrid for 11 seasons. Phew.

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

Luis Figo to Real Madrid

It’s a pretty ballsy move to head straight from one football giant, Barcelona, to its arch-rival, Real Madrid, but Luis Figo made the move in 2000, much to the consternation of Barca fans. He became the cornerstone of the rivalry between the two teams, but still managed to produce at Real Madrid, winning two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy.

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

Didier Drogba to Chelsea

Ivorian Didier Drogba had been making waves in France while playing for Marseille, but made the move to the Premier League in 2004, when Chelsea manager snagged the star for a mere £24 million ($40 million). And while to us peasants this seems like a fair chunk of change, Drogba has helped lead Chelsea to three Premier League titles, two League Cups, and four FA Cups, in the process becoming one of the best African players in English football history. Seems like a pretty good deal.

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

Dixie Dean to Everton

William “Dixie” Dean is one of the older guys on this list, but his 1925 transfer to Everton from the Tranmere Rovers was impressive. The £3,000 price tag ($5050) was a bargain even for that time – especially given that Dean became the most prolific scorer in English football history. He remains the only English footballer to score 60 league goals in a single season, including a famous header with a fractured skull. Seriously, that’s a bargain!

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Commons.Wikimedia.org

Lionel Messi to Barcelona

This wasn’t a transfer, and wasn’t even close to a surprise, but Messi’s signing with Barcelona makes this list due to the club’s absolute faith in him from the tender age of 6. Barca paid for nearly everything for Messi growing up with regard to football, helping to treat his growth hormone deficiency and paying for his football training, gear, and more. He began playing for the club at the age of 17, and hasn’t looked back.