Aston Villa makes history with a new record-breaking deal as they signed Colombia’s Juan Pablo Angel from River Plate for a whopping £9.5 million transfer fee. This was a significant move for the club as it exceeded the previous record transfer fee of £7 million paid for Stan Collymore in 1997. With such a hefty price tag, all eyes were on Angel to deliver.
However, the striker faced initial challenges adapting to life in England. Despite arriving with an impressive record of 17 goals in 17 games for River Plate, Angel only managed to score once before the conclusion of the 2000-01 season. Reflecting on his early days in England, Angel cited personal hardships and the rigorous nature of the Premier League as obstacles he had to overcome.
In a candid account on The Coaches’ Voice, Angel revealed, “Things weren’t easy. There is always a normal adaptation process that every player must face, but I went through a difficult personal situation away from the game. My wife became ill when we came to England and she spent almost six months in the hospital when we had our first child. But the league itself had its own difficulties. The language, the weather, the physicality and speed of the competition. And, in terms of organisation, the club wasn’t really prepared when it came to bringing in overseas players from our region.”
Thankfully, Angel managed to settle in Birmingham and went on to net 62 goals over six and a half years. His most memorable season at the club was under David O’Leary in the 2003-04 campaign. During this period, Villa secured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the League Cup. Angel’s stellar performance that season saw him score 23 goals in all competitions, a feat he didn’t fully comprehend at the time.
Angel admitted, “That season, I scored 23 goals in all competitions. The truth is that I didn’t really understand the scale of what that meant in a league like the Premier League. It was probably one of the best things that happened to me.”
Following his departure from Aston Villa in 2007, Angel embarked on a journey to the United States. He represented New York Red Bulls, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Chivas USA. Despite plying his trade across the Atlantic, Angel eventually made a sentimental return to his first club, Atletico Nacional, where he concluded his illustrious career in 2014.
Juan Pablo Angel’s legacy at Aston Villa continues to resonate with fans, as his perseverance and determination resonated with many players inspired by his journey. Despite the initial challenges, Angel left an indelible mark on the Premier League, proving to be an influential figure both on and off the field. His story serves as a reminder of the resilience required to thrive in one of the most demanding football leagues in the world.