Beşiktaş Forum ( 1903 - 2013 ) Taraftarın Sesi - Fabricio Coloccini Transferi (Tek Başlık)

FABRICIO COLOCCINI

Squad Number 07/08: 5
Date of Birth: 22 January, 1982
Nationality: Argentina
Contract: 2005 (January) - 2011
Transfer: €3 million (January, 2005, from AC Milan)
Previous Clubs: Deportivo (January, 2005), AC Milan (2004-2005), Villarreal (2003-2004, loan), Atlético de Madrid (2002-2003, loan), Alavés (2001-2002, loan), San Lorenzo (2000-2001, loan), Boca Juniors (1999-2000, loan), AC Milan (2000-2005), Boca Juniors (1998-2000), San Lorenzo
Buy-out Clause: ?
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Position: Defender/Midfielder (central/right) http://www.deportivo-la-coruna.com/p...occini_070.jpg http://www.deportivo-la-coruna.com/p...occini_074.jpgArgentinean defender COLOCCINI had just turned twenty-three when his move to Deportivo finally was realized at the end of January 2005. The player had been related to the Galicians since his excellent performances at Alavés (2001/2002) but finally was released by AC Milan after having experienced several loan deals. From then on the Galicians had a full Argentinean national player in their squad who played at the 2006 World Cup and since then has become a leader at the club. Despite interest this summer of mainly Real Zaragoza, he stayed at the club and his more stable performances should help Deportivo to survive this difficult season.

In March 2000, five years before his move to Deportivo, by then 18-year old Coloccini signed at Italian giants AC Milan in a transfer that was cloaked in controversy. Milan were alleged to have agreed the transfer with Coloccini's father rather than Boca. Coloccini senior later used his parental right to remove his child from Argentina and, after a protracted legal fight, FIFA ordered Milan to pay Boca compensation. Considered an enormous talent, aged barely sixteen he had made his debut at Boca Juniors in the highest Argentinean division and that same year he won the Torneo Apertura. His move to AC Milan was only on the paper though as Coloccini (quick, strong in the air and good with the ball at his feet) was loaned back to Boca Juniors and later to San Lorenzo, where he won the Torneo Clausura 2001.

In that same year the teenager made his debut in the Primera División at his first of what would become four Spanish clubs so far: Deportivo Alavés. The Basques had months earlier lost a dramatic UEFA Cup final against Liverpool (4-5 aet by an own goal) and were looking for ways to stay at the top places in Spain. AC Milan had taken Javi Moreno and Contra from the successful 2000/2001 team and the Basques for their part achieved a loan deal with the player who had just won the FIFA World Youth Championship with the Argentinean U-20 team. Aged nineteen, blond Coloccini played thirty-three matches for Alavés, scored six goals and was considered one of the biggest talents in Spanish football. Coloccini himself experienced a big shock when his mother died in May 2001. The player admires her and needed therapy from an Argentinean psychologist to overcome this setback. When On 21 October 2001, el Día de la Madre in Argentina, he scored two goals against Valladolid he raised his shirt and showed the tatoo dedicated to his mother. His first goal in Spain he had scored on 22 September of that year against… Deportivo.

Ondarru, the second man after Mané at Alavés back then, said in 2005 that "Coloccini was an introvert player but a very nice guy when he played at Alavés. He's very clever on the pitch and he gives all. Besides, he's quick, good in the air and very competitive. His move to Deportivo will do him well because he'll have more options to play compared to his time at Milan". This was exactly what he lacked at the Italians: playing matches. When he returned to Italy in 2002 he was immediately sent back to Spain to gain even more experience, this time at Atlético de Madrid (2002/2003) in a season when he made his debut in the national team of Argentina. One year later he played at Villarreal (2003/2004).

http://www.deportivo-la-coruna.com/p...occini_031.jpgAfter a total of ninety-one Liga matches (seven goals) at three different Spanish clubs, and having finished at places seven, eight and twelve in Spain, he returned to Milan aged twenty-two. In 2004 he played for the Argentinean national team at the 2004 Copa America (Argentina lost against Brazil in the final after penalties) and was a key defensive player in Argentina’s successful bid for gold at the 2004 Olympic Football Tournament in Athens. In a squad containing players like Ayala, Mascherano, Heintze, Saviola, Tévez and D’Alessandro, the Albicelestes stood firm to win their first-ever Olympic Football Tournament gold medal, having twice fallen at the final hurdle (in 1928 and 1996). Marcelo Bielsa's side imperiously swept all obstacles from its path. Scoring 17 times in 6 matches without conceding a single goal, Argentina quite simply gave their opponents no chance.

That same summer of 2004 Moroccan player Naybet left Deportivo after eight years of service. The veteran was allowed to leave to Tottenham Hotspur but, despite Irureta's wishes, a replacement didn't arrive. Deportivo lacked money and president Lendoiro wanted to build on the success of the previous season (final four in Europe) and to save some money. But two years of seeing only Pedro Munitis arriving (on a free transfer) and players like Donato, Makaay, Naybet and Djalminha leaving caused difficulties and the season 2004/2005 evolved in a terrible way. Deportivo didn't score a single goal in the Champions League, suffered a shocking Copa exit at little Elche and were mid-table when the transfer market reopened in the winter months

Still there were no signs of additions as Lendoiro kept on explaining that money was saved to be spent that summer of building a Deportivo for their centenario year (2006/2007). Weeks went by without movement and the position of Irureta was seriously questioned. After a 1-1 home draw with Numancia the Spanish sportpapers even claimed the Basque coach would be sacked if the next home match (against Espanyol) would end up in another disaster. It became a moving week as Walter Pandiani made some provoking remarks towards his coach and on Thursday news reports appeared about the supposed interest of Deportivo in signing Coloccini. One week later his agent met Lendoiro in La Coruña and in between a deal was struck with Milan. At first the Italians only had been willing to agree on another loan deal. But Coloccini, nicknamed Colocho, rejected this option and requested the Italian club to let him go on a permanent basis for him to get his career going. Despite the Italians received more (economically) important offers for the Argentinean international player, he only had one wish: to play in Spain at Deportivo. His compatriots Lionel Scaloni and Aldo Duscher recommended his signing and Coloccini was desperate to come. “Deportivo are a big club. Me and my family experienced good years in Spain and I am sure it'll be the same in La Coruña,” he said.

On Monday 31 January, 2005 all was done and that same night he was presented as new player of Deportivo. Aged twenty-three he thanked Milan for their cooperation. "I have a lot of gratitude towards Milan, but I wasn't satisfied with my role there. Out of that situation I started to search for an opportunity at another club. At Deportivo I will fight in order to find a place in the team." With Coloccini the Galicians seem to have made a smart deal. He only cost the club €3 million and the Argentinean player is attached to the club until 2011. Argentinean national coach José Pekerman admires his style, picked him for the 2005 Confederations Cup and 2006 World Cup. Coloccini has played in all Argentinean youth ranks.

http://www.deportivo-la-coruna.com/p...occini_049.jpgIn almost three full years at the club he slowly became the leader of a rejuvenated team. Despite his signing the season 2004/2005 couldn’t be saved. Coloccini only didn’t start two matches in the period starting when he signed until the end of the season. When Caparrós signed at the club in 2005, the experience of men like Coloccini, Jorge Andrade, Juanma, Romero, Capdevila and Manuel Pablo was a main cause why the team shared the third place with Real Madrid, Villarreal and Valencia. But the level of play, including the one of Colo, fell down in the second part of the season as Deportivo fell down to eight spot. On 29 April 2006 the dreams of UEFA Cup football that season were finally over after Celta won 0-2 in Riazor and a frustrated Coloccini was sent-off. It was his second sending-off of the season; his first had been at Zaragoza two months earlier. The team also missed out on Intertoto football on the last day of the season. On a personal level Coloccini had some compensation as he was called for the Argentinean national team playing the World Cup 2006. He was a substitute in the match against The Netherlands and started against Germany in the Quarter Finals.

Three times lucky could have been the thought of Coloccini when the season 2006/2007 was coming near. The Argentinean had come to Deportivo just weeks after their exit from the Champions League and since then the team hadn’t returned to Europe. Caparrós faced his second season at the club with a renovated and rejuvenated team where Coloccini had to become one of the leaders. During the final of the Teresa Herrera tournament he scored the first goal of a 3-1 win against his former club AC Milan. And of Depor’s first fourteen Liga matches he didn’t start only one match. But with Jorge Andrade out with a long-term injury, it were mainly Lopo and Arbeloa who covered the centre defence while Coloccini was transformed into a new position: the one of defensive midfielder. Next to Sergio or Duscher, or even the three combined (as in the match at Mallorca). Caparrós tried to build a physical team capable of breaking down any opponent based on strength. Coloccini figured perfectly in his plans. Initially the plans of Caparrós worked out very well. After seven matches into the season the team shared fourth place with Real Madrid and Coloccini did a good job in midfield. An example of this was the 2-0 home win against Villarreal when Coloccini stopped his compatriot Riquelme from creating danger for the visitors. But the matches after this period were less successful with three draws and three losses culminating into a 0-4 loss at Valencia. In this match Coloccini stepped back one position after Juanma had received a red card.

The big surprise of the ten weeks that followed was the absence of Coloccini in the team. Coloccini wasn’t picked for the squad which travelled to Sevilla but had to participate in a training session in La Coruña that day. Both he, and Taborda, weren’t present and Caparrós heard about this when the work returned after Christmas. Both players were fined and left out for the next matches. But the situation might have irritated Coloccini also and quickly rumours spread about him leaving the club. Lendoiro later confirmed that he had been negotiating about him with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle and Besiktas. But at the end of January indicated that Coloccini would remain at the club. The financial difficulties of the club were relieved, for the moment, with the sale of central defender Arbeloa to Liverpool. With the market now closed in Europe, the only alternative for Coloccini himself was a move outside of Europe. In the mean time, Caparrós explained that he was not “a type of person that hates player. I am a professional coach and I will certainly not throw stones at my own house”. But the rumours persisted that Coloccini still could be going and Argentinean clubs San Lorenzo and River Plate both subscribed him into the Argentinean league which left them seven days to finalize a deal. Coloccini admitted the interest of these clubs. But it seemed that Deportivo wanted them to pay half (€1 million) of Colo’s salary and a deal was broken off. Halfway February Coloccini himself confirmed that he would stay at the club and would be happy to do that: “ I have a daughter and my family is happy here in La Coruña. We don’t want to leave”.

http://www.deportivo-la-coruna.com/p...occini_054.jpgA few days later the situation turned back to normal when he was picked for the Levante match. Although he didn’t play, one week later he started the 0-1 win at Real Sociedad as right defender. Caparrós had found his defensive line for the remainder of the season: Capdevila, Jorge Andrade, Lopo and Coloccini. On a rare occasion he covered the centre spot. The Argentinean defender only didn’t start two matches from then on because of suspension. One Liga suspension was caused by his sending-off during the Copa match at Valladolid (1-1) was seemed to be unfair. The other Liga suspension he suffered because of receiving his fifth yellow card. At the end of March 2007 he confirmed in the media his wish to stay at the club for another season whether Caparrós would stay or not. “Both sides should be looking for what’s best for their interest, but my intention it is to stay here. I have a contract at Deportivo and I feel myself part of the project”. When asked about the season so far, with him turning from a midfielder into not-playing into a right back he said: “It has been a hard season in a personal sense. I believe that this has been the weirdest campaign in my career so far, but everything should be used in order to learn and add some experience”.

When the season was over, immediately new rumours appeared about a move away to Deportivo. These were related to Deportivo’s need for money and Coloccini’s personal wish to win something in his career. He now had been at the club for 2,5 years and in these years the overall results went from bad to worse. From the Premiership there seemed to be interest from Portsmouth and Middlesbrough while Greece side Olympiakos also were interested. But the amounts involved never satisfied Deportivo. The most serious interest came from Zaragoza who continued their interest for two full months. This has much to do with their sale of Gaby Milito to FC Barcelona. It seems that Lendoiro had been willing to let Coloccini go for €12 million. But the sale of Jorge Andrade to Juventus easened the need for money. Meanwhile, it seems that Zaragoza never raised their offer above €5,5 million + Lafita. The most pressing factor in this story seemed to be Coloccini’s agent Marcelo Lombilla who even mentioned that “slavery has been ruled out for a while now. If Deportivo don’t allow Coloccini an exit, we’ll see about that”. Coloccini himself never expressed a desire to leave but indicated that “Deportivo should consider if a good offer arrives considering the club’s financial situation”.

Later during the pre-season the situation calmed down as Zaragoza never seemed willing to raise their offer. Lombilla indicated that “a move to Zaragoza would be a nice option. But if not, Coloccini will be happy to stay in La Coruña”. He added Manchester United as being interested in Coloccini. New coach Lotina was convinced that Coloccini would stay as he only wanted either Jorge Andrade or Coloccini to be sold. Lotina called Coloccini “a central defender with a good technique and who knows how to be placed on the pitch. He’s one of the best central defenders in the Liga and destined to become an important figure in our team this year”. When the transfer dead-line came close, Colo’s agent changed his tone even more: “It’s only that last year he had a problem with the coach and had to play on a position that isn’t his. The only thing I ask right now is that the club should make him a proposition according to the situation. It will be very good for the player to final a definitive place in La Coruña and Deportivo”. Overall, this indicated more to a wish for a contract renewal than a move away from Deportivo. An outcome of this contract talks hasn’t been mentioned.

Coloccini staying at Deportivo converted him into one of the most experienced players at the club after the departure of Jorge Andrade, Capdevila and Duscher. He is such an important figure that at the end of December he is the player with most Liga minutes behind his name at the club. In fact, he hasn’t missed a single minute yet and together with either Lopo (at the start of the season), Aythami (during the Recreativo match) or Adrián López he has turned himself into a stable figure at the back. The arrival of Lotina also seems to have done him well in discipline. His total numbers in Spain between 2001 and 2006 have been 132 matches, 36 yellow cards, 5 red cards and 8 goals. Coloccini cuts a dashing figure charging out of defence with long curly locks flowing but has been known for reckless defending that often leads to bookings. But until the match against Zaragoza he has received just one yellow card and hasn’t been sent-off. Besides, Coloccini has become a much-respected figure in the dressing room and captain of the team. His performances also have become much more regular than before and he seems to believe in the project of Deportivo. As a player who still has to become 26-years of age he already has become a symbol at the club.

Coloccini himself now feels more comfortable at the club than before. “I enjoy it more now. I enter the pitch feeling well and that hasn’t always been the case. Of course, it’s always best to win matches. But if we can repeat the matches we’ve played at Espanyol and Sevilla I’m sure that this will happen. Personally my wish is to stay for a long time at Deportivo. I know that we will have a tough time this season and that we will suffer. But I believe in the qualities of this group”.