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Ex-Chelsea FC player Florent Malouda has joined Indian Super League team Delhi Dynamos
Former Chelsea FC midfielder Florent Malouda has taken the next step in his career after Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Delhi Dynamos announced his signature. Instead of sending out a customary tweet or press release, the Dynamos unveiled it via an in-game advert.
Yep, really.
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At some point during Chelsea’s clash with West Brom on Sunday afternoon, an ad flashed up on the advertising hoardings with the following written on it:
‘Delhi Dynamos welcomes Florent Malouda to the family’
Don’t believe me? See it for yourself…
First time I've seen a player's move be put on advertisement boards #NamasteMalouda pic.twitter.com/3JQTNU3kmZ
— JD - What Happened to the X? (@JD23PO) August 23, 2015
This must be the most creative/bizarre way that I have seen a player’s transfer announced thus far. I have toyed with the idea of clubs hiring planes, but buying advertising space during a Premier League meeting is something else. It is not as if this was a big game that would bring world-wide attention to the Dynamos either, it was Chelsea-West Brom.
The deal was soon appropriately confirmed in a club statement, and the Frenchman was excited about his new venture.
"India has great football talent and a league like ISL will bring certain amount of interest and will help develop Indian football. I look forward to give my best to the league and make the Delhi fans proud."
The ISL will begin its second iteration on October 8th, as it looks to capitalise on India’s bubbling appetite for football. Another former Chelsea man in Nicolas Anelka featured last season, and he too will continue for Mumbai City. Adrian Mutu will also head to India this year, being designated as the marquee player for Pune City.
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Even though several of the stars are washed up, they are still stars nonetheless and will certainly help draw Indian eyes to the spectacle. Malouda will join the cast, bringing with him a wealth of experience and success from Stamford Bridge.
The winger spent six seasons at Chelsea after arriving in the summer of 2007. He would make 228 competitive appearances for the club, scoring 45 goals and making 43 assists. Malouda was an integral part of the squad for the first five of his Stamford Bridge campaigns, helping the club to 3 FA Cups, 1 league title, and the Champions League. However, a transfer request following Euro 2012 led to him spending a season training with the U21s, as a deal could not be struck with any interested party.
If anyone is still doubting his quality, he was even handed the captain’s armband for the French senior team on occasion. Now, in what is possibly the last chapter for the 35-year-old, he’ll head to Delhi. He will also link up with another Premier League veteran in John Arne Riise, whose arrival was announced yesterday.
Malouda was a great servant for Chelsea during his time and I wish him well on his new endeavour. Meanwhile, I’m also excited for the next evolution in transfer-signing announcements.
All quotes taken from The Daily Mail.
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