Time to say goodbye: Ex-Swansea star Michu retires
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At just 31-years-old, one of the Premier League’s most famous one season wonders hangs up his boots. Miguel Perez Cuesta – or Michu – as you will know him, has retired.
After struggling for more than a year with chronic ankle injuries, the former Swansea City star has been finally forced to pack it in.
It brings to a close a professional career that has spanned 14 years and seven clubs. His most notable spell coming at the Liberty Stadium, where he became a cult hero in one glorious season in South Wales.
He began his career at his hometown club of Oviedo, scoring 13 goals in 100 appearances, before moving to Celta Vigo and then Rayo Vallecano. It was in Madrid where he flourished, scoring 15 goals in 37 games for the La Liga new boys.
That would earn him a move to the Premier League with the Swans. Initially signed to replace departed Gylfi Sigurdsson in the number ten role, the Spanish forward played mostly as a striker.
He ended the season with 22 goals, winning the club’s player of the season award, as well as the fan’s player of the year.
He also managed to score at Wembley in the League Cup final against Bradford, the first time the club had won the trophy in their history.
For £2m he would become one of the Premier League’s all-time bargain signings. Not all stories have fairytale endings, though, as Michu gradually fell out of form and favour under then Swans boss, Michael Laudrup, and latterly Garry Monk.
He was shipped off to Napoli on-loan where he would only make six appearances. Injuries had begun to take hold of his career.
After his release from his Swansea contract, the one-time capped Spanish international would head home, dropping down the divisions to play for Langreo, and lastly, his hometown club, Oviedo.
There he would finish where he started. At the club he helped save from financial oblivion, he would play 27 more times, scoring one goal.
He signs off today for the last time as a professional footballer. A cult figure in English football and a hero to his boyhood club.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
