Every saga… Has an end.

By: Shazback | August 23rd, 2007

The Wiltord transfer saga is over.

Wiltord is Rennes' Number 6 After being linked to PSG, OM, some Qatari club and the usual mid-table Premier League hopeful (more or less seriously), the prodigal son has finally come home.

Although he was from Joinville, a suburb of Paris, Rennes spotted the talented youngster in 1991, and snapped up the 17 year-old, even if the young Wiltord could only find the Rennes Cyclist Club on his first visit to the capital of Brittany. The following season, as Rennes went down to League 2, Wiltord got first-team opportunities, and showed promise, thanks to his athleticism and eye for goal. By 19, he had become one of Rennes’ main players, and he helped the Stade back into Ligue 1. Three seasons later, Wiltord left to join Bordeaux, where his skill became apparent : League Cup finalists, French champions the following season, as well as top goalscorer. Wiltord’s talent started to attract other clubs, and in 2000, Arsene Wenger brought a little more French Touch to Highbury by signing the recently-crowned European Champion.

At Arsenal, Wiltord continued to show his quality, by adding two league titles to his roll of honour, as well as two FA Cups. He also continued to hold a French first team position, as he helped France win the Confederation Cup in 2001 and 2003. But all good things had an end, and Wiltord ended up being edged to the bench at Arsenal, who sold him to Lyon in 2004.

At Lyon, he became the first-choice right winger, ahead of Govou, but could also double up as a striker, often clinching crucial points with goals in the dying minutes of a match. Wiltord continued to win, and won the league 3 seasons in a row with Lyon. However, after January 2007, Lyon hit a hard patch, and Wiltord became pegged down as one of the culprits, as his off-pitch activities became slightly bothering: speeding fines that he didn’t pay forced police to question him, and his Brazilian team-mates accused Wiltord of being a touch too “friendly” with their wives.

So, in June, Wiltord announced that he was in negotiations with Rennes, and this summer’s longest transfer saga began. Rennes wanted Lyon to free him of his contract so that he could be signed on a free transfer. Wiltord didn’t want a large pay cut. Lyon didn’t want him to leave for free. And so it all began. Months of negotiations, that ended up in a 1.5 Million € transfer. Quite cheap, if you ask me.

Rennes have now got a great weapon upfront. Wiltord will be able to play alongside Briand and Pagis, or on the wing, or could become a handy sub. Wiltord is back. After 10 seasons away from the Rouge et Noirs, the prodigal son is back. And if his winning steak is anything to go by, it’s good news. Very good news.

Here is a little showcase of his talent :