Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:59 am
It started when Gabriel Tamas arrived in South Wales for a trial. Nobody seemed particularly impressed or enthusiastic.
Thursday 24th March 2016
"Gabriel had a day with us and that is the start and finish of it," said Russell Slade.
Five days later, and he had signed a one year deal, with an option of extending for another season after that.
Five months on, and with just one appearance to his name, his contract was terminated.
Now, however, he is rebuilding his career in his native Romania, all thanks to some rather interesting demands from the club's main benefactor, Gigi Becali, a man who himself has courted controversy for his outspoken views....
ONE CARDIFF GAME IN FIVE MONTHS - WHAT WAS ALL THAT ABOUT THEN?
A good question, and one that we'll probably never have the answer too.
His off-field problems were well documented, but the club perhaps thought a player with such extensive experience in British football was worth a punt, particularly given he had a played a part in Watford's promotion just last season.
He never threatened the likes of Manga, Connolly and Morrison in fighting for a place in the starting XI, with rumours beginning to circulate that he might be set for a swift exit.
His agent said he was 'not the kind of player who wants to collect a salary without playing', though that seemed to come about four months too late.
The rumours were rejected by the club, but after getting his only outing in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Shrewsbury Town, he was on his way.
It didn't seem likely he'd be playing top level football anytime soon....
WHAT CHANGED?
Enter Gigi Becali, main financier of Steaua Bucuresti.
This looked like being a difficult deal to pull off, not only because of Tamas' notoriety, but also his stated affection for major rivals Dinamo Bucuresti.
Becali had a master plan, however.
He told Tamas that he would be out on his feet if he didn't cut the drinking.
He also told the former West Brom defender to attend church with him every Sunday, straight after training if necessary.
Becali said: "It's only through prayer that people get over drinking."
There was an added sweetener for sceptical fans. Becali revelaed that rather than sign Valerica Gaman with a €300,000 sign on fee and a €25,000 monthly wage, Tamas would join for nothing on €1,000 per month.
HOW'S TAMAS GOT ON THEN?
Well, in just over a month, he's already managed five times as many first team appearances as he did in five months at Cardiff.
Their record in those games has been pretty good, winning three, drawing one and losing one.
Tamas managed to play the full game as his side earned a draw away to fierce rivals Dinamo.
Becali said there was no one better for his team than a fit and firing Tamas, and so far the former Bluebird has not let him down.
It has probably helped his cause that the other man in the frame to make the switch to the Romanian capital was Emmanuel Eboue.
Still, fans have teased him over the verbal terms of his move, saying: "He only goes to communion for the wine"...
Thu Mar 24, 2016 8:41 pm
Seemed a strange signing at the time and proved to be just that Annis.