Ex-Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek scored his first goal in two years and celebrated wildly.
He scored for new team Girona – who lost their Champions League match with Feyenoord 3-2.
Van de Beek’s goal clearly meant a lot to himGetty
It was clear how much it meant to the 27-year-old, who has had a torrid time of late.
Van de Beek moved to Manchester United in 2020 from Ajax for £40million.
His transfer was an unmitigated disaster as he struggled to break into the first team and was sent on a series of loan spells.
The midfielder joined Everton in 2022 and that was where he scored his last goal.
United sent him to Eintracht Frankfurt in January this year, before he sealed a permanent Old Trafford exit.
Girona paid just £750,000, but the deal could rise significantly with add-ons.
Before that Champions League clash with Feyenoord, Van de Beek opened up on how much he struggled.
He even admitted considering quitting football.
“I don’t like to talk about the past. I’ve been getting fit and feeling good for a few weeks now,” he said. “Now I feel in a good moment.
‘I have had many hard knocks in my career. Now I feel like I’m starting a new stage at a fantastic club. We play very well and it’s a big challenge for me. I want to keep improving.
“There have been moments when I was about to give up everything, but the family helped me to continue believing in myself.
“They have convinced me that I have to do what I like and that fills me up, which is to play football.”
The 3-2 defeat is Girona’s second loss of the Champions League campaign, being beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in matchday one.
The Spanish club qualified for Europe’s elite competitions after finishing third last season, just four points behind Barcelona.]
“We started the game very well,” manager Michel reflected after the Feyenoord defeat.
“We needed to adjust the pressure more because of the idea we had, but we were able to correct it later.
“There were 15 minutes that I didn’t like at all and that cost us two goals and a penalty, and it’s a shame because we had started well.
“I think the second half was very good in every way. We can’t afford to pass the ball for the sake of passing it, that’s useless, but I have nothing to reproach.”
