Tottenham flop who broke Man Utd hearts left unemployed at 35 after release from club with immediate effect
FORMER Tottenham star Etienne Capoue is now unemployed after being released from Villarreal.
The 35-year-old won Man of the Match when Villarreal beat Manchester United in a historic penalty shootout in the 2021 Europa League final.
Once upon a time, the defensive midfielder was one of the most sought after stars in Europe.
After five impressive years at French side Toulouse, it was Spurs that nabbed him for £9m in 2013.
After moving to Villarreal in 2021 , he was the star man in the club’s 11-10 penalty shootout Europa League final victory over Man Utd, where David De Gea was the only player to miss his spot kick.
The win delivered Villarreal their first major trophy in club history, and Unai Emery his fourth Europa League title.
But now Capoue is on the lookout for a new club after transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed he was leaving the La Liga club.
Capoue leaves as a free agent with his current contract expiring on June 30.
Capoue’s letter to fans read: “Farewells are never easy. And even less so when you say goodbye to a club where you have been so happy for three and half years and experienced some great moments.
“I have experienced some unforgettable moments at this club. I will never forget the night of May 26 2021 in Gdansk. I am proud to be part of the group that won the Europa League.”
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The Spurs flop played 148 times for Villarreal, scoring 12 and providing nine assists in that time.
Capoue dropped down the pecking order after the arrival of then manager Quique Setien in the 2022/2023 season.
Capoue joins Liverpool’s legendary goalkeeper Pepe Reina in leaving Villarreal.
Meanwhile Capoue ultimately failed to reach his potential when he joined Tottenham, scoring just twice and providing two assists in 36 matches.
He went on to have five Premier League seasons with Watford after the Hornets paid a then club record £6.3m for him.
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