Excitement as Gourcuff – once dubbed Zidane’s successor

The Tring Athletic boys would be Gourcuff's new team-mates, according to Wikipedia

A bottle of Side Pocket ale and two bags of cheese and onion crisps is all it took to lure French international footballer Yoann Gourcuff to Tring Athletic – if Wikipedia is anything to go by.

Gourcuff, once dubbed the successor to French legend Zinedine Zidane, has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Watford in recent weeks, but the Premier League sides look to have been gazumped by SSML Premier Division outfit Tring.

According to Wikipedia, Courcuff’s ‘current team’ is Tring Athletic, following his release from Ligue 1 giants Lyon at the end of last month. Unconfirmed rumours suggest it was Tring’s 2-1 win over Leverstock Green in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round that turned the former AC Milan playmaker’s head.

Of course the work of Wkiipedia pranksters, Tring Athletic have certainly seen the funny side to the Gourcuff rumours, posting a tongue-in-cheek statement on their official website: “If Wikipedia is to believed Athletic have pulled off the transfer coup of the century by signing French international Yoann Gourcuff.

“The 29-year-old has pulled on the shirt of Milan, Bordeaux & Lyon as well as being capped 31 times by France.

“Chairman Mick Eldridge has blown the season budget by offering a bottle of Sidepocket & two bags of Cheese & Onion crisps to the attacking midfielder!”

No official signing has been announced yet, but Tring will presumably be looking to tie up a deal prior to Saturday’s clash with Oxhey Jets. Julian Robinson’s side host St Margaretsbury at Cow Lane tonight.

Excitement as Gourcuff – once dubbed Zidane’s successor – ‘joins’ Tring Athletic!