Michu: What happened to the one-season wonder that even Haaland admired?

It would be safe to say that Michu is the very definition of the word – “One season wonder”. A virtually unknown footballer, the Spaniard transferred to Swansea from Rayo Vallecano in 2012. His price tag was around three million pounds. Before long, his name was on the lips of fans across Europe.

Very soon this unknown name became known throughout England. In his first Premier League game, against QPR, he scored two goals and assisted once. He capped off an impressive first season in England with 22 goals in 43 games. What’s more, he even managed to win a trophy when Swansea beat Bradford City in the League Cup final, also with the help of a goal Michu scored.

It was the first such achievement for Swansea in their history and perhaps not surprisingly, Michu won the club’s best player award, was voted by the fans as the best player of the year and was called up to the national team. Winning the trophy. For Swansea. That says it all.

It wasn’t just Swansea fans who loved the attacking sensation. Mich’s unexpected start in the Premier League appealed to the entire football world, including young fans and even current star Erling Haaland. The latter declared that he loved watching the Spanish footballer.

According to him, he had a great left foot, was tall and a clinical killer. In September 2020, Haaland even celebrated a goal for the Norwegian national team in the same way that Michu celebrated his goals. His influence on the young striker was even such that shortly before his move to Manchester City, Haaland called for advice.

What went wrong?

His incredible form never returned, helped by various injuries. Thus, the following Premier League season Michu appeared in just 17 games and scored twice. In all competitions, that made a total of six shots.

In the summer of 2014, Michu signed for Napoli. It was a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season. This stint also ended up being very unsuccessful. The Spanish footballer was limited by injuries and played only six matches. Michu was sent back to Swansea, from where he was released in November 2015.

His greatest glory was behind him, as even he suspected. However, his next destination was very surprising as he signed for Spanish amateur club – UP Langreo.

In August 2016, he returned to his hometown club – Real Oviedo, where he managed to play 27 games. However, problems with various injuries continued and Michu decided to call it a career. This happened in 2017. Only four years after shining in the Premier League, he became the fifth top scorer of the year and made it to the national team.

What is Michu doing now?

His football career may be over on the pitch, but not behind the office desk. Back in 2012, he, Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata bought a stake in Real Oviedo to help them save themselves in the third division.

In 2018, he was the sporting director at Langreo, the club his brother coached. Subsequently at Real Oviedo and currently holds the same position for Burgos CF.

Source: Transfermarkt