Dimitar Berbatov dream over for Manchester United misfit
Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov has joined Fulham after a frustrating four years at Old Trafford Not wanted in Manchester, not worthy of Florence, Dimitar Berbatov has finally found a new home in London.
Berbatov played his part in a dramatic transfer deadline day in 2008. Targeted by newly-rich City and United, he eventually chose Old Trafford.
He was photographed through the huge glass window above the Megastore before David Gill quickly shut the curtains.
And the Bulgarian was at it again as deadline day loomed this year.
Expected in Italy to sign for Fiorentina, then in Turin to talk to Juventus, Berbatov eventually turned up at Fulham via Munich. As unpredictable off the field as he was in his pomp at United and Spurs.
Fiorentina were understandably upset at seeing a player who cost United a record 30.75m slip through their fingers.
A statement on their website read: The player got on the flight with his agent and on tickets paid for by Fiorentina. He never arrived in Florence.
This was down to outlandish and arrogant behaviour of other clubs, who have nothing to do with fair play and sporting ethics that go even beyond the confines of fairness.
As for the player, apart from his characteristics and his value on the field, at this stage we are happy he didn't come to Fiorentina. He did not deserve our city, to wear our jersey or the values that represent it.
But Fiorentina's loss is Fulham's gain.
Berbatov's days at United were numbered even before Robin van Persie arrived from Arsenal.
It felt like the final piece of the puzzle when he signed for United, the reigning Premier League and European champions. But he never really hit the heights expected of him.
He w! on the P remier League in his first season after signing from Tottenham. But it ended with him missing a penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shootout against Everton and relegated to the bench for the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Rome.
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez gone and Wayne Rooney struggling for form, Bertabov's most prolific season came two years later. He scored a hat-trick during a 3-2 win over Liverpool and got five in a 7-1 demolition of Blackburn. It helped him finish with 20 goals in the Premier League and a share of the Golden Boot.
United won a record 19th title but his last goal of the season came in early April and he didn't even make the bench for a second Champions League final date with Barcelona. Manchester United learn Champions League fate
Dimitar Berbatov undergoing Fulham medical
His five goals for United in the Champions League remains a dismal record and Michael Owen was preferred instead.
Martin Jol knows all about Berbatov's qualities having signed him for Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen even if they were never fully utilised by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Dutchman revealed he had been chasing the 31-year-old all summer while admitting Fulham had pushed the boat out to convince him to choose Craven Cottage over Serie A.
Of course you have to pay good players good money but I think we have made steps over the last few years and there have been many clubs interested in Dimitar, said Jol.
Maybe you saw a few things on the internet, they all tried to get him but we were able and capable of ! getting him.
Nothing is what it seems, I'm not sure about Juventus. Fiorentina will tell you the story he could go to Juventus but they went for one or two other players but he was on my list the whole time and he knew that.
I tried to do something months ago and it didn't come off and I came back so for him it was a right moment to make a decision and he made the decision for a move to us.
He leaves United with an impressive medal haul and plenty of fans, but with an over-riding feeling of what might have been.
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Berbatov played his part in a dramatic transfer deadline day in 2008. Targeted by newly-rich City and United, he eventually chose Old Trafford.
He was photographed through the huge glass window above the Megastore before David Gill quickly shut the curtains.
And the Bulgarian was at it again as deadline day loomed this year.
Expected in Italy to sign for Fiorentina, then in Turin to talk to Juventus, Berbatov eventually turned up at Fulham via Munich. As unpredictable off the field as he was in his pomp at United and Spurs.
Fiorentina were understandably upset at seeing a player who cost United a record 30.75m slip through their fingers.
A statement on their website read: The player got on the flight with his agent and on tickets paid for by Fiorentina. He never arrived in Florence.
This was down to outlandish and arrogant behaviour of other clubs, who have nothing to do with fair play and sporting ethics that go even beyond the confines of fairness.
As for the player, apart from his characteristics and his value on the field, at this stage we are happy he didn't come to Fiorentina. He did not deserve our city, to wear our jersey or the values that represent it.
But Fiorentina's loss is Fulham's gain.
Berbatov's days at United were numbered even before Robin van Persie arrived from Arsenal.
It felt like the final piece of the puzzle when he signed for United, the reigning Premier League and European champions. But he never really hit the heights expected of him.
He w! on the P remier League in his first season after signing from Tottenham. But it ended with him missing a penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shootout against Everton and relegated to the bench for the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Rome.
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez gone and Wayne Rooney struggling for form, Bertabov's most prolific season came two years later. He scored a hat-trick during a 3-2 win over Liverpool and got five in a 7-1 demolition of Blackburn. It helped him finish with 20 goals in the Premier League and a share of the Golden Boot.
United won a record 19th title but his last goal of the season came in early April and he didn't even make the bench for a second Champions League final date with Barcelona. Manchester United learn Champions League fate
Dimitar Berbatov undergoing Fulham medical
His five goals for United in the Champions League remains a dismal record and Michael Owen was preferred instead.
Martin Jol knows all about Berbatov's qualities having signed him for Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen even if they were never fully utilised by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Dutchman revealed he had been chasing the 31-year-old all summer while admitting Fulham had pushed the boat out to convince him to choose Craven Cottage over Serie A.
Of course you have to pay good players good money but I think we have made steps over the last few years and there have been many clubs interested in Dimitar, said Jol.
Maybe you saw a few things on the internet, they all tried to get him but we were able and capable of ! getting him.
Nothing is what it seems, I'm not sure about Juventus. Fiorentina will tell you the story he could go to Juventus but they went for one or two other players but he was on my list the whole time and he knew that.
I tried to do something months ago and it didn't come off and I came back so for him it was a right moment to make a decision and he made the decision for a move to us.
He leaves United with an impressive medal haul and plenty of fans, but with an over-riding feeling of what might have been.
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