Walker, Fletcher, Rodriguez: 10 of Football's Most Surprising Signings

For the most part, transfers tend to make sense in the world of football, but occasionally, one will crop up and leave you feeling like you are deep in the wormhole of a Football Manager save.

In a week when six-time Premier League winner, Kyle Walker, who is widely regarded as the finest full-back of his generation, signed a two-year deal with newly-promoted Burnley. We take a look at some of the most bizarre transfer deals that raised more than a few eyebrows.

Steven Fletcher (Sunderland to Marseille, 2016)

Played 11, won 0.

When Steven Fletcher plays, Marseille don't win.#Ligue1

Euro round-up: https://t.co/c9Fr6OTEUx pic.twitter.com/EoNzND1spv

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 25, 2016

Halfway through the 2015/16 season, Marseille found themselves six points away from the Champions League places and eager to bolster their attack. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in their scouting department when the decision was made to sign Steven Fletcher.

The Scotsman was hardly setting the world alight at Sunderland, where he had scored four goals all season and the Black Cats were fighting desperately for survival. Even Fletcher's agent must have had to verify that it wasn't a prank call when Marseille came calling.

After scoring only two goals and recording a 17% win record, while the team finished in a dismal 12th place, Fletcher's Marseille adventure was short-lived, both in reality and in memory.

Bojan (Barcelona to Stoke, 2014)

Former Stoke forward Bojan Krkic has retired!

What a player.
pic.twitter.com/NsgRV3yVRf

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) March 23, 2023

Bojan is one of many to be billed as the "next Messi"; expectations were extremely high when he burst onto the scene at the Nou Camp as a fresh-faced 17-year-old. But, despite making over 100 appearances for Barcelona, he never hit the heights expected of him in Catalonia.

After leaving Spain, his CV included stints at European heavyweights AC Milan, Roma, Ajax, and... Stoke?

What was seen as a significant coup for Mark Hughes' side, the bewildered Potters quickly understood what all the fuss was about. Bojan cemented himself as a fan favourite with his diminutive style and skilful play, the likes of which were seldom spotted at the Britannia.

A move that confused the masses ended up being a "second home" for the former teenage sensation. It turns out, the Spaniard could do it on a cold, rainy night in Stoke.

Jesse Lingard (Nottingham Forest to FC Seoul, 2024)

Over 50,000 fans showed up to watch Jesse Lingard’s FC Seoul debut on Sunday 🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/2pnMXVsIvu

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 11, 2024

Lingard's initial transfer to Forest had already got the football world talking, with reports of eye-watering wages being paid to the former Manchester United star.

After a tepid time in Nottingham, Lingard took an 8-month hiatus from the game, and nobody would've predicted his next move.

Becoming perhaps the most high-profile signing in K-League history, JLingz signed for South Korean side FC Seoul. It was a stark contrast for someone who had played a pivotal role in England's 2018 World Cup run and was an established Premier League player.

It appears that Lingard has adapted well to life in Asia, having been named captain of FC Seoul and boasting an impressive attacking return of 17 goals and assists in 47 games. His larger-than-life personality is a hit with his teammates, and fans, who flock to his social media posts.

James Rodriguez (Real Madrid to Everton, 2020)

📝 James Rodriguez is officially an @Everton player! He’s signed for around £22m.

🤝 Reunited with Carlo Ancelotti for the 3rd time. pic.twitter.com/fqRAvnxgvo

— SPORF (@Sporf) September 7, 2020

In the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez announced himself on the world stage like few others ever have. Suddenly, the Colombian was at the top of every club's wish list. As ever, the allure of Real Madrid was too strong to resist and a new Galactico was born.

Rodriguez produced attacking numbers befitting of any Real Madrid superstar, but injuries and managerial preference stunted his growth in Madrid. A loan move to Bayern Munich was equally as fruitful, but no club seemed willing to take a permanent chance on him.

Having proven that he had the quality to play for any of Europe's elite, a move to Everton was on nobody's bingo card.

Facilitated by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who had coached him at Madrid and Bayern, many Evertonians could not believe their luck and claimed that Rodriguez is among the best to ever play in front of the Gwladys Street.

Again, he was blighted by injuries, and since his Merseyside exit, the Colombian has become somewhat of a journeyman; however, the footballing world knows what an extraordinary talent he was.

Oscar (Chelsea to Shanghai Port, 2017)

Oscar has just scored on his competitive debut for Shanghai International Port Group.

The moment he's dreamt about since he was a boy. pic.twitter.com/oMJa0jLxmP

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) February 7, 2017

Oscar's accountant was perhaps the only person who thought this move made sense. On the pitch, he had the world at his feet. He was a vital component in his Chelsea team and was making inroads to become a mainstay of the Brazil national team.

Before the temptation of Saudi money, China was the big player in Asia, offering ludicrous wages. Oscar was arguably the biggest beneficiary of this. It's estimated that he has earned a whopping £166 million during his eight-year spell.

The Brazilian has never been afraid to admit that his move was financially motivated, after coming from an impoverished background and wanting to help his family as best he could.

There will always be a huge what-if, lingering over his career.

Fernando Hierro (Al-Rayyan to Bolton Wanderers, 2004)

Bolton Wanderers, 2004-05.

Featuring past-their-prime new summer signings Les Ferdinand, Fernando Hierro, Michael Bridges and Gary Speed.

Big Sam would soon also sign El-Hadji Diouf to join the Banter Bus ride around the Reebok.

Those were the days. #BWFC pic.twitter.com/dnjHTtFCHW

— The Premiership Years (@PremiershipYrs) August 14, 2024

There was a period when Sam Allardyce seemed to be the world's best salesman. He was selling the idea of Bolton to some of Europe's finest, including Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo, Youri Djorkaeff and Fernando Hierro.

How did Hierro, a Real Madrid legend with enough individual and collective trophies to fill a museum, end up playing at the Reebok Stadium?

Like many, Allardyce was a huge admirer of the Spanish defender and believed he could still play at the top level despite being 36. Fernando was looking for a route back into Europe after a spell in Qatar. Thus, an improbable match was made.

Though it was a short fling, Hierro quickly earned the adoration of the Bolton faithful with his song, often heard reverberating around the ground. "He came from Real Madrid, he didn't cost a quid".

Thomas Gravesen (Everton to Real Madrid, 2005)

On This Day in 2005 🗓️

Thomas Gravesen completed his shock move to Real Madrid! pic.twitter.com/YVQ1IfGNoP

— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) January 14, 2023

The Danish international was more renowned for his off-field antics than for his on-field performances. Rumours were circulating that he was one of the best Call of Duty players in the world, and he is reportedly worth more than £100 million.

Such an exuberant character is not usually what you would expect from a Real Madrid player, but in 2005, Gravesen was unveiled in the famous all-white kit.

After making a promising start in Spain, issues began to emerge within the club, where many were unhappy with his robust approach, even in training. Fabio Cappello described him as "a little bit peculiar".

The following summer, Gravesen was sold to Celtic, where his tough tackling was more appreciated.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Stoke to PSG, 2018)

This is exactly what PSG deserve for signing Stoke City’s Eric Choupo-Moting

pic.twitter.com/H6j7eG4i9W

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) April 7, 2019

In 2018, Choupo-Moting was struggling for minutes with Stoke in the Championship, so naturally was seeking a move away. In a transfer that makes you scratch your eyes and pinch yourself, the Cameroonian found a new home at the Parc des Princes with PSG.

He made his debut for the Parisians in a Champions League clash against Liverpool. A reminder, Chuopo-Moting couldn't get game time in the Championship just months prior.

Ultimately, his PSG career is summed up best by being the unfortunate recipient of perhaps the worst miss in football history, but did that derail his career? No.

Choupo-Moting was signed by Bayern Munich the following summer.

Joey Barton (QPR to Marseille, 2012)

It’s five years to the day since Joey Barton played his first game for Marseille.

The memory of his fine French accent lives on… 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ececNr7sVU

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) September 20, 2017

Joey Barton, perhaps the most controversial British player of recent times, ended his final game of the season for QPR in typical Barton fashion. Not satisfied with being sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez, he kicked Sergio Aguero and attempted to headbutt Vincent Kompany before vacating the pitch.

QPR understandably felt that Barton needed time away from Loftus Road. A transfer to Marseille seemed to baffle most, but the raucous ultras and feisty Barton struck up an instant connection (by instant, we mean as soon as Barton had served his 13-game ban).

Back in England, Barton's press conference, where he adopted a unique French accent, certainly made headlines, as did his run-in with Zlatan Ibrahimovic; however, less was said of his performances.

The fans clearly took to the Englishman, as he was recently spotted in the away end with the Marseille fans during their game against Tottenham.

Carlos Tevez (Manchester United to Manchester City, 2009)

On this day in 2009: Manchester City announce deal to sign Carlos Tevez pic.twitter.com/JW7YBMW0du

— I Love Manchester (@ILoveMCR) July 13, 2021

Picture this: you play for Manchester United, you are part of the most feared front three in Europe, and you have just won the Premier League and the Champions League the year before. You can do no wrong, surely?

Well, Carlos Tevez found a way.

After negotiations with Manchester United had stalled, Tevez opted to make the short hop across the city to sign for Manchester rivals, City. Sacrilege.

There was outrage from the red side of Manchester, as the blue side added insult to injury with their infamous "Welcome to Manchester" billboard.

Tevez continued to demonstrate his knack for goal-scoring while at City, but he also generated plenty of controversy with his new side. After receiving the captain's armband, Tevez went on to submit at least two transfer requests, say that he wouldn't return to Manchester "even on holiday" and refused to come off the bench in a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.

Tevez left Manchester for good in 2013 with three Premier League titles, a Champions League and every domestic English trophy available.