2004
On This Day: 21st february
John Charles
The Wales, Leeds United and Juventus legend, nicknamed 'Il Gigante Buono' ('The Gentle Giant') during his time in Italy, died on this day in 2004 at the age of 72. A fantastic all-round player, as adept in the forward line as in defence, he signed for Leeds as a 17 year old in 1948. He went on to score 150 league goals in 8 years at the Yorkshire club, despite playing much of his football at centre-half. He signed to Juventus for a record fee in 1957, one of the first British players to move abroad. There he won the Serie A 3 times and the Italian Cup twice, and scored almost 100 league goals. In 1997 he was named the 'Greatest Foreign Player Ever in Serie A', ahead of Maradona, Platini, Van Basten and Zidane.
Credit: Colorsport
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