The Best Transfer Announcements Of The Summer Window (and The Worst)

Alejandro Gómez, free supplier to Padova

Sometimes it’s champion not to overcomplicate things. The erstwhile Atalanta playmaker Alejandro “Papu” Gómez loves a creation (his deed azygous Dance Like nan Papu went viral successful 2017) and Padua is an perfectly gorgeous metropolis successful bluish Italy, truthful this Saturday Night Fever-inspired transportation announcement video for nan Argentinian that showcases some useful a charm. In what feels for illustration a high-quality production, nan 2022 World Cup victor struts astir nan metropolis successful 1970s clobber: a leather jacket, an enormously lappelled garment and a vintage brace of Copa Mundials, each to nan sound of nan Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive. The discourse of this transportation to nan Serie B broadside is that Gómez is finishing a two-year doping ban aft taking a banned substance, which nan now 37-year-old claimed came from his son’s cough medicine. Gómez, 5th connected nan all-time database of Serie A assists, continues to train independently but tin commencement training pinch his caller Padova teammates connected 19 August.

Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford to Manchester United

A somewhat different 1 successful that this was not an announcement video but a farewell, arsenic Bryan Mbeumo issued an Interstellar-themed connection to Brentford supporters earlier his move to Manchester United. This could person gone severely incorrect (and nan thought of different Interstellar-themed video successful nan early wherever Mbeumo is shouting “Don’t fto maine leave, Brentford” to himself is simply a tempting one) but nan Cameroon guardant pitches it perfectly here, arsenic he recreates nan unthinkable scene wherever Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, looks backmost complete years of messages near by his children. There are immoderate heartfelt moments successful Mbeumo’s video: his first Brentford goal, his typical narration pinch supporters and teammates and his memories of Brentford’s promotion to nan Premier League. “6 years that felt for illustration 6 minutes,” sounds nan accompanying caption to nan video. “It’s clip to return disconnected and to time off nan Bees Planet. But earlier I go, I want to convey each of you. It was an unthinkable travel afloat of emotion, smile, laughter and you made each infinitesimal very special. You’ll ever person my heart. We’ll meet again successful this magnitude and successful nan others.”

Saúl Ñíguez, Atlético Madrid to Flamengo

A reasonably evident pun was nan catalyst for this Better Call Saul-themed poster, pinch Saúl’s caput neatly photoshopped connected apical of Saul Goodman’s body. The image mightiness besides beryllium a cloaked motion to nan telephone that Saúl received from his erstwhile Atlético Madrid teammate Filipe Luís, now caput coach astatine Flamengo. Saúl was connected nan verge of signing for Trabzonspor aft verbally agreeing a woody pinch nan Turkish nine but backed retired astatine nan past minute, citing “personal stuff”, starring to a furious connection from Trabzonspor’s caput coach Fatih Tekke: “Let those who don’t want Trabzon person their fun. We will find a amended one.”

Paul Pogba, free supplier to Monaco

Another World Cup victor back from a lengthy doping ban, Paul Pogba’s return to shot pinch Monaco struck a very different vibe to Alejandro Gómez. Pogba’s announcement video, entitled La Renaissance, is much pensive but still slick, pinch his unmistakeable power and assurance connected show. “Like a kid each excited for his first time of school,” narrates nan Frenchman. But a secondary video showing a tearful Pogba really signing his statement has acold much impact. In opposition to nan first choreographed video, Pogba’s earthy emotion comes to nan fore present arsenic his doping ban, injuries and legal cases look to melt distant pinch nan resumption of his career. “I’m sorry – convey you for your trust,” blurts retired Pogba to Monaco’s sporting director, Thiago Scuro, pinch nan midfielder hardly capable to get nan words out. “It is very uncommon to spot maine outcry for illustration that, truthful I dream you enjoyed it,” Pogba later reflected. “There were truthful galore images that came into my mind. We cognize nan doping story, my injury. Everything came backmost to maine during nan signing and I couldn’t clasp back.”

Luuk de Jong, PSV to Porto

The astir astonishing transportation announcement of this transportation model is Porto’s signing of Luuk de Jong, whose presence was kept wholly nether wraps until an in-person, real-time uncover successful beforehand of nan fans astatine nan Estádio do Dragão earlier a pre-season friendly. In an property erstwhile journalists and fans are seemingly privy to transportation detail, De Jong’s woody was a complete secret, and nan thought of Porto’s president, André Villas-Boas. With a shot headdress pulled complete his head, nan 6ft 2in De Jong was fortunate not to beryllium seen astatine Porto airdrome erstwhile he arrived connected Sunday, but was smuggled into a taxi without anyone noticing. Even De Jong’s aesculapian was booked arsenic a caller subordinate for Porto’s handball squad (De Jong’s parents were some master volleyball players) arsenic nan nine scrambled to support his presence from leaking. After gathering his caller teammates successful nan dressing room earlier nan match, nan Dutch striker walked retired of nan passageway astir 6pm to daze nan fans.

And nan worst 1 …

Burnley person carved retired a niche successful creating unsocial transportation announcements successful nan caller past but their Lionel Richie-themed 1 for Kyle Walker this summertime is rather something. Excruciating acting by nan England defender and a bizarre concept. Nope.