Premier League cult hero now seems unrecognisable with out iconic lengthy hair
A FORMER cult hero of the Premier League who was idolised by Erling Haaland now seems utterly unrecognisable after dropping his iconic lengthy hair.
This attacker went from unknown to worldwide footballer following his huge transfer to the English top-flight in 2012.
The now 37-year-old’s story began with boyhood membership Actual Oviedo within the Spanish decrease leagues.
Aged 21, the 6ft 1in ace moved to the Spanish second tier with Celta Vigo.
After 4 seasons at Celta a switch to LaLiga beckoned, with Rayo Vallecano taking a punt on him, and it paid off as he bagged 15 objectives in his debut high tier marketing campaign.
His kind would earn him his transfer to the Premier League, with a £2million switch to Swansea subsequently happening in folklore.
He hit the bottom operating by scoring twice and offering an help for Scott Sinclair in a 5-0 rout of QPR.
And he would go on to web 22 objectives in all competitions throughout an unforgettable debut season in Wales.
His second marketing campaign on the Liberty Stadium was sadly hampered by accidents, in an indication of what was to return.
Having helped the Swans win the League Cup in 2013, nonetheless, he was capable of play within the Europa League for them – scoring 4 instances throughout his facet’s run.
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The person in query – who was clear shaven and sported lengthy, brown hair throughout his heyday – is after all the Spanish star Michu.
The icon’s kind earned him one Spain cap throughout his Swansea love affair, beginning a World Cup qualifier towards Belarus.
All good issues come to an finish, nonetheless, and he was on the transfer in the summertime of 2014 as he joined Napoli, initially on mortgage – however he solely made six appearances for them as his ankle accidents stacked up.
Michu would return to Swansea, however had his contract cancelled in November 2015.
He subsequently joined Spanish amateurs Burgos, earlier than returning to Oviedo for one remaining season the next summer time.
In July 2017, Michu introduced his retirement aged simply 31 because of his persistent ankle points.
Following retirement Michu initially returned to Langreo, the place his brother was head coach, as director of soccer.
He then turned technical secretary at Oviedo in 2019, earlier than taking over a sporting director function at Burgos.
Talking about his accidents to the Telegraph final 12 months, Michu harrowingly defined: “I’ve persistent ache that I’ve to reside with.
“There is no more treatment. I’ve had several operations, I don’t want to take any more pills and I don’t want to take much more medication.”
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Nevertheless, Michu seemed to be stuffed with pleasure in a latest photograph he shared on Instagram of him holding his little one – though it might have taken a few of followers a short time to recognise him.
He now has quick, cropped hair and stubble, however though his look could now be so much completely different, the love for him in South Wales will all the time stay the identical.
And even the Premier League’s high scorer Haaland counts himself as one of many former star’s greatest followers.
The Norwegian dubbed Michu a “legend” as he revealed that he idolised him as a child and even used to tag himself as this cult hero on Instagram.
The previous Swansea man even swapped shirts with the Manchester Metropolis hotshot in 2020 after studying he was his hero.
Michu mentioned: “I gave him a Burgos shirt and he gave me a Borussia [Dortmund] shirt.
“I am glad he is having that impression in England, he will be a star at European degree with [Kylian] Mbappe. They are going to reign like [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] did.
“For me it’s an honour {that a} footballer of this degree had me as a reference once I was youthful.
“If he doesn’t have any serious injuries, he could be playing 13 or 15 more seasons at the highest level. If all goes well, he will score more than 300 goals.”
When requested if Haaland will play in Michu’s native Spain, he was adamant that he WILL find yourself in LaLiga.
He added: “Absolutely he’ll find yourself taking part in ultimately in our league.
“Although with the conditions he has, it doesn’t matter where he plays, he will always score goals.”
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