Spanish law prohibited Spanish teams from signing professional contracts with players under the age of 17. Therefore, this loophole had been repeatedly exploited by teams from other countries over the years. The most famous example was when Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger poached Barcelona's star of hope, Fàbregas, from La Masia without spending a single cent.
In the Sporting de Gijón team, there were two players under the age of 17. One was Juan Mata, the Spanish youngster who was only 16 years old. The other was Juan Carlos, who was two months away from turning 17. Therefore, these two players were currently signing youth contracts.
Of course, this also meant that if other teams could tempt them to leave, they would be able to get them without spending a single cent.
Following their outstanding performances last season, Mata and Carlos had also become famous. Many teams had ideas about these two youngsters, but so far, no club had succeeded. Whether it was Mata or Carlos, they were both loyal to Li Ang. Mata had volunteered to come to Gijón from Real Madrid to follow Li Ang. Perhaps in the future, Mata would yearn for a powerhouse and consider a higher stage. However, the current Mata would not choose to leave. As for Carlos, those who were familiar with him were even more clear. He was the last person in the Sporting de Gijón team to betray Li Ang, whether it was because of Li Ang's recognition of his talent or because his sister, Alice, was Li Ang's girlfriend. Of course, this layer of relationship was unknown to outsiders.
Now, Sporting de Gijón had another player under the age of 17.
He was Karim Benzema.
Because he was still a few months away from turning 17, Sporting de Gijón and Benzema signed a youth contract. However, on the basis of the youth contract, both sides added an agreement. On December 19, 2004, which was Benzema's birthday, when he turned 17, Sporting de Gijón would immediately offer him a professional contract. Benzema's agent and family also promised that he would play football in Gijón with peace of mind and would not be poached away because of the youth contract.
Li Ang placed great importance on this. He made a note in his notebook that when Benzema turned 17, the club would have to leave and sign a professional contract with this child. He did not believe in promises. When the benefits were big enough, verbal promises had no credibility.
Of course, Li Ang believed that as long as he valued Benzema and gave this kid a chance to play and focused on grooming him, Benzema would not think of leaving.
With the signing of the youth contract and the transfer fee of one million euros from Sporting de Gijón to Lyon FC's account, it was officially announced that Karim Benzema, a 16-year-old kid, had officially become a member of Sporting de Gijón.
*****
Benzema's family was swift and decisive. They knew how important it was for Benzema to integrate into the team as soon as possible.
Li Ang returned to Spain the next day. Benzema, accompanied by his father, went to Spain together.
This transfer could be said to be quite fast.
That afternoon, at the Maleo training ground.
Li Ang brought the strong and strong Benzema out of the team's changing room.
"This is Karim Benzema." Li Ang introduced Benzema to the team. "He's a very good French lad."
"Hello everyone, I'm Karim Benzema. I'm 16 years old this year and I'm from France." Benzema stepped forward and introduced himself. This kid did not have stage fright at all.
"Welcome, kid." Hierro came up to welcome him on behalf of the team. "I'm Fernando Hierro, the captain of the team."
Li Ang handed Benzema over to Hierro and then left. He believed that with Hierro around, he did not need to worry about anything.
After Miguel Kobas left, Li Ang appointed Hierro as the first captain of the team. The former AC Milan vice-captain, Albertini, was appointed as the second captain of the team. The team's goalkeeper, Valencia, was appointed as the third captain of the team.
No one had any objections to Li Ang's arrangement. Although Hierro and Albertini had just joined the team, the fame and influence of these two star players were there. They were qualified to be the team's leaders. Moreover, Li Ang's prestige in the team had determined that his decisions would be carried out absolutely.
*****
Benzema looked at Hierro with his eyes wide open. This was Hierro, the Hierro of Real Madrid. Before coming to Gihon, he had not heard that Hierro was in Gihon.
"Hello, captain." Benzema said respectfully. He had a lot of respect for this legendary Real Madrid star player.
"Hello, Karim. I'm Demetrio Albertini. You can call me Demetrio. " Albertini smiled and greeted Benzema. At the same time, he was extremely curious. The team's manager seemed to really like to promote young people. There were several players under the age of 20 in the team, and now there was a 16-year-old Frenchman.
In fact, the current Sporting de Gijón team was very young. The 16-year-old Spaniard Mata, the 16-year-old Frenchman Benzema, the 16-year-old Spaniard Carlos, the 17-year-old Spaniard Marcos, the 17-year-old Spaniard Javier Blanco, the 20-year-old Serbian Ivanovic, the 19-year-old Croatian Modric, the 21-year-old Brazilian Portuguese Pepe, and the 21-year-old Frenchman Franck Ribery.
The others such as the Argentinian striker Milito was 25 years old, the Italian Di Natale was 26 years old, the Italian Grosso was 26 years old, the Spaniard Dorado was 25 years old, and the Spanish center back Isma was 29 years old …
Only the goalkeeper, Valencia, was thirty-three years old. There was also the thirty-six-year-old veteran, McGour-Piehra, the thirty-three-year-old Albertini, and the thirty-six-year-old Hierro. These four players were all over the age of thirty.
"Ah, hello, Demi." Benzema was very excited. Albertini was also a famous star player and an important member of the Milan dynasty. He did not expect him to come to Gijón.
*****
"Haha, boy, hello. I'm Franck Ribery, Frenchman." A voice sounded. Benzema looked over and was shocked by a guy with a scary scar on his face.
"Ah, ah, hello …" Benzema said cautiously. "Are you French too?"
"Of course, don't worry, boy. I'll cover you." Ribery cracked a smile. He put his arm around Benzema's shoulder. The newcomer's expression announced to the others that this boy was under his protection.
Everyone burst into laughter. After getting along with each other for a short period of time, everyone liked this scary looking French kid very much. Ribéry was very active and could get along with many people.
"Come, come, come. I'll introduce you to the others." Ribery took the 'right' of introduction from Hierro. "This is McGour-Piehra, a 36-year-old old man. But don't underestimate him. This old man is very strong."
"Hi, Karim." McGour-Piehra did not care about Ribery's teasing and greeted with a smile.
"This is Juan Mata. There are two Juan's in the team. This is one of them."
"I know you. You're very strong." Benzema said to Mata.
"Hello, Karim. You're very good too." Mata said happily.
"This is Juan Carlos. This is the other Juan."
"I know you too. Hello, Juan." Benzema said.
Juan Carlos showed a surprised expression. "Hello, Karim."
"We usually just call them Mata or Carlos. Otherwise, it's easy to get mixed up." Ribery chattered. "Actually, I really want to call them Big Juan and Little Juan, but they don't want to."
Benzema was hugged by this scary guy with a scar on his face as he introduced them all the way.
Hierro, who was robbed of his job, smiled as he watched the scene. Albertini touched Hierro's shoulder. "Energetic little guys."
The two veterans looked at each other and smiled. They were very satisfied with the atmosphere in the team.
*****
After solving the problem of the forward line, Li Ang began to make up for the team's last shortcoming.
That was the goalkeeper position.
The team's current number one goalkeeper was the 33-year-old Spanish player, José Valencia. Then there was the 24-year-old Spanish player, Nat de Roberto. The original third goalkeeper, the 34-year-old Caleto, asked for a transfer because he could not play. Li Ang did not make it difficult for the old goalkeeper and allowed him to transfer to a Spanish Serie C team on a free transfer.
Now, the team still needed to bring in a goalkeeper in case of an emergency.
Li Ang originally wanted his former youth team player, Adan, from Real Madrid's youth team. However, since Real Madrid closed the door to any deal with Sporting de Gijón, he could not bring in Adan.
Then, Li Ang targeted the young goalkeeper of Slovenia, Samir Handanović.
The reason why he was interested in Handanović was that he knew the future achievements of this Slovenian lad. He was indeed a goalkeeper with great potential. The other reason was that Handanović was currently playing for Domzale, a team in the Slovenian First League. He was the second goalkeeper of the team, and he was still a nobody. The transfer fee was quite cheap. Now was the best time to make a move.
Another important point was that Slovenia officially joined the European Union on May 1st, which meant that Handanović was already an EU player and was no longer restricted by the non-European quota.
Just as Li Ang went to France to deal with Benzema's transfer, he arranged for assistant manager Banderas to officially ask Domzale of the Slovenian First League for their young goalkeeper, Samir Handanović.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
