On Thursday 31st July, Premier League cult hero Paulo Wanchope celebrates his 49th birthday.The Costa Rican first arrived on English shores when he joined Derby County in 1997.The highlight of his mem...
On Thursday 31st July, Premier League cult hero Paulo Wanchope celebrates his 49th birthday.
The Costa Rican first arrived on English shores when he joined Derby County in 1997.
The highlight of his memorable two-year spell with the Rams arguably came on his Premier League debut, when he scored this outrageous solo goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
A stunning solo goal from Paulo Wanchope on #PL debut 👌#GoalOfTheDay@dcfcofficialpic.twitter.com/cmf3fxBro5
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 2, 2018
In 1999 he moved to West Ham, where he spent just one season, but returned an impressive 15 goals and three assists.
Paulo Wanchope signed for us #OnThisDay in 1999! pic.twitter.com/DSX4B5xRSE
— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 20, 2018
The longest spell of Wanchope's time in England was with Manchester City, whom he joined in the summer of 2000, and went on to score 29 goals over four years, including this brilliant piece of improvisation at Leicester's Filbert Street.
A Paulo Wanchope special 👣#GoalOfTheDaypic.twitter.com/6BhLgBkrCM
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 8, 2018
On the international stage, Wanchope earned 73 caps for Costa Rica, representing his country at two World Cups, with his brace against hosts Germany in 2006 being a standout moment.
🏀 Paulo Wanchope almost became a basketball player. Self-proclaimed 'Tall Baller from the G!', @NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki, must have been wishing Wanchope had when he scored twice v @DFB_Team_EN at the 2006 #WorldCup!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 31, 2020
🎈 Happy 44th birthday to the @fedefutbolcrc goal machine 🇨🇷 pic.twitter.com/PKcGCjV0hY
They don't make footballers like Paulo anymore.
📸 Tom Shaw - 2003 Getty Images
Category: General Sports
