A former Premier League forward planned a transfer to play against Cristiano Ronaldo but accidentally signed for the wrong club.
Former West Brom player Thievi Biphouma thought he was joining a club that was set to play alongside Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the Asian Champions League.
He wanted to move to Iranian outfit Esteghlal FC, which had a scheduled game against Al Nassr.
But Bifouma, who scored two Premier League goals during his loan spell with the Baggies, inadvertently put down paperwork for the wrong club.
He was not aware that this particular club was not the only side named Esteghlal in Iran.
“I had a chance to play in Türkiye, but my wife didn’t want to go back there,” he said. Tasneem News Agency
“I want to play against Cristiano Ronaldo before I retire.”
The 32-year-old said: “Bearing in mind that he is now in Asia and there is an opportunity for me to come to Iran, he talked to me about the offer to Esteghlal.
“And I reviewed the calendar of games and realized they had a game against Al-Nassr.
“I told myself this is where I wanted to go. I didn’t know there were two teams named Esteghlal in Iran.”
Thivi Bifouma in action for West Brom. Image: Getty
Bifouma realized just days after his transfer that he had made a huge mistake after speaking with former Chelsea player Gael Kakuta.
“When I arrived in Tehran, my countryman Gail Kakuta called me and asked where I was,” he said.
“I told him, ‘I’m getting a medical exam at the hotel.’ Then he asked, ‘Which hotel are you in? I want to come and meet you.’
“An hour later, he called again and teased me, saying, ‘You play for little Esteghlal, while we are part of a big team. You defend, and we attack.’
“Regardless, it didn’t matter because thanks to my goal we won the game against them in August.”