Just once you thought switch bulletins have been getting stale, Arturo Vidal rocks up at previous membership Colo-Colo on horseback dressed a knight.
The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus midfielder, 36, re-signed for the Chilean outfit final week, 17 years after he left for Bayer Leverkusen. To mark the event, the membership hatched the mom of all bonkers plans to reintroduce him to the followers, then scrapped it, and considered an much more bonkers one.
He was flown into the stadium by way of helicopter earlier than slipping right into a medieval costume and doing laps of the grounds whereas using a horse. He was additionally given a crown, a large sword and a Game of Thrones-style cape, which in some way did not seemed fairly as foolish as his trademark mohawk (it is 2024 mate, time to lose it).
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest provided De Gea return to Premier League earlier than Deadline Day
READ MORE: ‘Lack of respect’ – inside Said Benrahma switch mess as Lyon rage at West Ham
Fans on social media have been in awe of the mind-boggling pageantry, with one X person joking: “Arturo Vidal turned up as a Red Dead Redemption character.”
Another stated: “Oh South American football, never change.” A 3rd wrote: “This is the weirdest and quite possibly best transfer announcement I’ve ever seen,” whereas a fourth laughed: “OK who had Vidal arriving on a heli and parading around a stadium on a horse dressed as knight on their 2024 bingo card?”
What is the weirdest switch announcement you have ever seen? Let us know within the feedback part beneath.
(Image: Javier Martin/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Speaking to the 35,000 followers packed inside Colo-Colo’s Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Vidal stated: “I would lie to you if I said that I ever dreamed of something like that. It was wonderful to see the stadium full for a welcome. I’m still excited.”
“I don’t remember what I was thinking about the helicopter, there were a lot of emotions. The Colocolino fans made me feel loved”.
Vidal spent two seasons in Colo-Colo’s first crew earlier than getting his large break at Leverkusen in 2007. He then moved to Juventus in 2011 and gained 4 consecutive Serie A titles earlier than leaving for Bayern Munich. In three years on the Allianz Arena he gained three Bundesliga titles earlier than shifting to yet one more European behemoth, Barcelona.
The Catalan giants gained La Liga in Vidal’s first season, however got here up quick in his second, ending an unbelievable run of eight successive home league title wins for the midfielder. But a transfer to Inter Milan in 2020 kicked the streak again into gear with the Nerazzurri being topped champions in 2021.
(Image: Getty Images)
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and plenty extra
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we wish you to affix us!
Through the app, we’ll ship you the sassiest showbiz tales, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…together with the most recent breaking information after all.
To be a part of our neighborhood, all you need to do to affix is click on on this hyperlink, choose ‘Join Chat’ and also you’re in!
No one will be capable to see who has join and nobody can ship messages apart from the Daily Star crew. We additionally deal with our neighborhood members to competitions, particular presents, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions.
If you don’t like our neighborhood, you may try any time you want. To go away our neighborhood click on on the title on the high of your display screen and select Exit group. If you’re curious, you may learn our Privacy Notice.
In 2022 he returned to South America, signing for Brazilian membership Flamengo earlier than shifting on to Athletico Paranaense in 2023, forward of his eventual Colo-Colo homecoming final month.
Vidal can be considered one of Chile’s highest-capped gamers with 142 appearances to his title, and fashioned a part of the crew’s golden era alongside the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Claudio Bravo and Gary Medel. Together they gained the Copa America in 2015, ending Chile’s century-long wait to win the match, earlier than successful it once more in 2016.