5 players who switched to rival sides and immediately won a title

Players who switched to rival sides and immediately won a title!

When it comes to football, club rivalries are a part and parcel of the game. They uplift the excitement to greater heights and are one of the most enjoyable affairs in the beautiful game.

However, no set of fans can take it easy when a player from their club moves on to join one they hate right from the bottom of their hearts. While they wish him every failure they possibly can, the player winning a piece of silverware with his new club tends to aggravate their pain. Watch & Bet Football Live =>

Let’s look at 5 such players who have committed this so-called ‘crime’ in their careers.

5. Rio Ferdinand – players who switched to rival sides and immediately won a title

Rio Ferdinand is one of the most beloved figures at Old Trafford, given the legacy he built in a 12-year career with Manchester United. Known as one of the greatest defenders to have graced the game, the Englishman joined the Red Devils from rivals Leeds United in a record £34m fee back in 2002.

However, the pressure of being the world’s most expensive defender hardly took its toll on him, as he established himself as an integral part of United’s revamped backline.

Ferdinand went on to win the league title, much to the wrath of Leeds United fans who had to endure the labefaction of their own club.4. Sol Campbell – players who switched to rival sides and immediately won a title

Since 1977, only one player, Sol Campbell apparently, has dared to switch sides between Tottenham and Arsenal directly. He made 315 appearances for Tottenham and also stated in an interview that he would never like to play for their arch-rivals.

However, with the dawn of 2001, as he inched closer to the expiry date of his contract with Tottenham, the club offered him a new deal which would make the Englishman the highest-paid player at the White Hart Lane. Watch & Bet Football Live =>

Campbell, however, spurned their advances and tracked back on his views about playing for Arsenal. He joined the Gunners and won a domestic double of Premier League and the FA Cup in the same season he signed for them.

Adding to the icing on the cake, he also lived the finest moments of his career being a part of the Invincibles squad that won the golden Premier League trophy for remaining unbeaten throughout the entire 2003-04 season.3. Robert Lewandowski – players who switched to rival sides and immediately won a title

One of the reasons why the competition in the Bundesliga has plummetted dramatically over this decade is down to Bayern Munich’s habit of draining Borussia Dortmund of their best players.

Mario Gotze, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski; the trio joined the Bavarians and went on to achieve notable domestic success. Robert Lewandowski’s move, in particular, deserves a worthy mention.

The Pole joined Bavarians on a free transfer and has since successfully replicated his scoring exploits at the Allianz Arena. He won the league title in 2014, in the very same season he joined them.2. Robin van Persie – players who switched to rival sides and immediately won a title

Robin van Persie sparked an intense transfer saga when he decided to leave Arsenal. He sparked an even greater outrage when he decided to switch allegiance to Manchester United – Arsenal’s greatest rivals for Premier League glory.

The Dutchman was 29 when he moved to Old Trafford, fetching a £22m price. However, if anyone had expected Arsenal to be the winners in the deal given that he was approaching his 30s, it was exactly the opposite.

Robin van Persie helped Manchester United win their record 20th title in 2013, sadly the latest they have won till date. In doing so, he also clinched the only Premier League medal of his career.1. Luis Figo – players who switched to rival sides and immediately won a title

Luis Figo’s direct switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid will go down as the most iconic transfer in history. The Portuguese star swapped the Catalans for Los Blancos after five years at the Nou Camp in 2000.

Following the start of the new century, Luis Figo became the poster boy of the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry. His first El Clasico created an atmosphere that could have quailed the hearts of the bravest of men, as he endured incessant taunts and expletives throughout the 90 minutes.

Despite all the hatred they bore for Figo, the Barca faithful had to endure the miserable sight of him lifting the LaLiga title at the end of the same season.

Leaving everything else aside, Luis Figo does deserve applause for taking such a courageous decision and sticking with it till the end. Watch & Bet Football Live =>

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