The 10 strangest football transfers of all time
From global stars landing at unexpected clubs to moves that seemed to defy logic altogether, football history is full of transfer twists no one saw coming. Here are ten of the most bizarre and unforgettable deals—starting from the least expected to the truly baffling.
Nicklas Bendtner to Juventus
Once tipped as Arsenal’s next big thing, Nicklas Bendtner’s loan to Juventus in 2012 left fans puzzled. With zero goals and little impact, the move quickly fizzled out, and he returned to north London without making his mark in Turin.
Esteban Cambiasso to Leicester City
After a decorated decade at Inter Milan, Esteban Cambiasso shocked many by joining newly promoted Leicester City in 2014. Despite being past his peak, the Argentine quickly became a fan favourite and helped steer the club to safety—just one year before their historic title win.
Bojan Krkić to Stoke City
Once hailed as the next Messi, Bojan Krkić's switch from Barcelona to Stoke in 2014 raised plenty of eyebrows. Trading tiki-taka for long-ball football, he still managed to charm the fans and stayed with the club for five seasons, even playing in the Championship.
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Joey Barton to Marseille
Joey Barton's move to Marseille in 2012 came with a 12-match domestic ban, restricting him to Europa League duty at first. Though he eventually settled in and helped the team finish second in Ligue 1, he's most remembered for his comical attempt at a French accent during a press conference.
Julien Faubert to Real Madrid
With only a handful of games for West Ham under his belt, Julien Faubert’s loan to Real Madrid in 2009 left the football world stunned. He infamously missed training, thinking he had the day off, and ended the season with just two appearances.
Jay-Jay Okocha to Bolton
Jay-Jay Okocha, known for his flair and skill, surprised many by signing for Bolton after leaving PSG. He became a club legend, captained the side to a League Cup final, and earned cult status among fans for his dazzling footwork.
Juninho to Middlesbrough
In 1995, fresh from starring at São Paulo, Juninho shocked fans by choosing Middlesbrough over Europe’s elite clubs. The Brazilian playmaker would return for three separate spells, helping Boro to their first-ever major trophy—the 2004 League Cup.
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Gennaro Gattuso to Rangers
A teenage Gattuso reluctantly joined Rangers in the late 1990s after his father insisted—and even threatened—to make him accept the offer. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, he toughened up in Scotland and built the fighting spirit that defined his career.
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham
No one could quite explain how West Ham pulled off the signing of Tevez and Mascherano in 2006. While Mascherano barely featured, Tevez became a survival hero, scoring the decisive goal that kept the Hammers in the Premier League before heading to Manchester United.
Jesse Lingard to FC Seoul
After a disappointing spell at Nottingham Forest, Jesse Lingard shocked fans again by signing with South Korea’s FC Seoul in 2024. It was a headline-grabbing move that made him the highest-profile foreign signing in K League history as he sought to reignite his career in Asia.
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