Newly-promoted Hercules suffered a 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in their La Liga opener this evening, but the Alicante-based side scored an impressive win off the pitch with the signing of striker David Trezeguet. The 32-year-old has signed on a free transfer after having his contract terminated by Juventus.
The Frencman was an integral part of Juve’s successes over the last decade, but his role had become limited in the last couple of seasons. In the 2008/09 season, he made only eight Serie A appearances, and last season, he made only 19, though he did provide a decent return with seven goals.
Trezeguet had one year remaining on his contract with Juve, and though it looked at one point like he could see that year out, a move always seemed to be the likely outcome. There were no shortage of options, and after having been linked with a move to join compatriot Thierry Henry with the New York Red Bulls last month, just days ago, his agent claimed that Liverpool were after his client.
However, it looks to have come down to Hercules and Real Zaragoza, and the influence of Trezeguet’s Alicante-born wife Beatrice reportedly helped tip the scales in Hercules’ favor. It was announced earlier today that Trezeguet had left Juventus, which has freed him up to make the move to Spain.
After starring at Monaco and being part of the France side that captured 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 titles, Trezeguet joined Juventus in 2000, and in 10 seasons, he netted 171 goals in 318 appearances, becoming the highest-scoring non-Italian in the club’s history. For his career, which started at Argentine side Platense, Trezeguet is averaging better than a goal every other game, with 231 goals in 431 appearances, and he scored 34 goals in 71 appearances for France from 1998 to 2008.
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