With the transfer window closing, Malaga seem to have stolen http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roque-Santa-Cruz-c31778 from English club, Stoke City.
The 31-year-old striker has a very impressive and experienced football career. Starting off with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olimpia-c40118, the Paraguayan scored 13 goals in 24 appearances; catching foreign attention from German Club, Bayern Munich.
In 1999 http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roque-c31776 was sold to Germany’s Bayern Munich for $7 million. While playing in the Bundesliga, Roque scored 31 goals in 156 matches, and even scored 2 goals in 6 matches for Bayern Munich II.
Roque later on agreed to a four-year signing for the British club, Blackburn http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rovers-c40385, for £3.5 million, where he scored 23 goals in 57 matches.
In a matter of three years, Roque’s value rose from £3.5 million to £17.5 million.
Manchester City bought him and played him in 20 matches during which he scored 3 goals.
City then loaned him back to Rovers for a season, and after that, they loaned him to Real Betis for another season, during which time he scored 7 goals in 33 matches.
Along with his club career, the Paraguayan has one of the most impressive international careers as well, scoring over 20 times for his nation’s team.
In 1999 he was also awarded the Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award.
Malaga have made it to the Champions League, and an experienced player like Santa Cruz could really make things easier for them.
With teams like AC Milan in their group, they’re going to need all the help they can get. With Malaga’s speed, drive for scoring, and experience on the pitch, the Anchovies seem to have made the correct decision.
One must also keep in mind that this is only the second time Malaga are performing in a continental championship, and in order to make a proper impact, they must go in with full drive, and Santa Cruz may be what they need.
The experienced striker has taken part in numerous Champions Leagues, and has managed to score, and even won the 2000-2001 UEFA Champions League while playing for Bayern Munich.
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