Remembering Michu: The Greatest One-Season Wonder In Premier League History

On July 20th 2012, a relatively unknown striker going by the name of Michu signed for Swansea City. The rest, as they say, is history.

Remembering Michu: The Greatest One-Season Wonder In Premier League History


It was seen an uninspiring signing at the time. Gylfi Sigurdsson had just left the club after a loan spell from Hoffenheim and the addition of Michu, who cost just £3 million, left fans understandably frustrated by a lack of spending power.


But everything would change on a quite remarkable opening day of the season.





On his Premier League debut against Queens Park Rangers at a packed out Loftus Road, the Spanish striker scored twice and provided an assist in a 5-0 drubbing.


It was the start of a season to remember for the former Celta Vigo forward.

He maintained that level of goalscoring form for the rest of the campaign, bagging a mightily impressive 22 goals in all competitions.

Swansea finished in 9th place and would lift the League Cup under Michael Laudrup, their first major trophy win.

It's fair to say Michu played a huge part in that success. He was simply sensational in his first season and a result of his fine form, he received a call-up to the Spain national team, and would go on to play alongside the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Carles Puyol.

But like many before him, the Spaniard struggled to replicate his 18-goal haul in the Premier League the following season, managing just two goals in 2013/14.

Watch the video below



The former Real Oviedo man was subsequently loaned to Napoli in Serie A, before being released from his contract in November 2015.

Shortly after leaving the glitz and glamour of the Premier League, he signed for Austrian side Langreo, and later returned to boyhood club Real Oviedo in the Segunda division.

But again, he never quite recaptured the form of 2012/13 and retired three years later because of injuries, aged 31.





The Spaniard announced the news by posting a letter to his fans on Twitter.



Image: Michu/Twitter

He came from nowhere to light up the Premier League with Swansea and even managed to earn one cap for the Spanish national team at a time where they had a golden generation of players.