[Pat Murphy]

Piqué comes back home

After four seasons at Manchester United and Zaragoza, Gerard Piqué is returning to Barça as a European champion.

Aged just 21 years, Gerard Piqué is already a well-travelled player. The Catalan centre back is on his way back to FC Barcelona, where he played at every youth level, having gained invaluable experience at both Manchester United and Real Zaragoza. His talent and imposing physique suggest he could be one of the most important central defenders of the coming years.

Experience and championships

When he was still just 17, Gerard Piqué began his English adventure by signing for Manchester United. On October 26, 2004, three weeks after he joined them, he made his debut in the Carling Cup against Crewe Alexandra. Under Alex Ferguson he has won one Carling Cup (2005-06), and a Premier League, as well as the Champions League just last week (2007-08).

Back with Milito

In the 2006-07 season, Gerard Piqué was sent on loan to Real Zaragoza, where he played alongside Gabriel Milito. He appeared in 22 league games that season, 18 as a starter, and scored twice. Piqué met Barça four times that year, twice in the league and twice in the Copa del Rey quarter finals.

A Barça past

Before moving away, Piqué played at just about every level of the club’s youth system. He joined the club in 97-98 and played for the Alevín B (rough equivalent to under 12, the youngest age group the club had at the time) and stayed at the club until playing in 2003-04 for Juvenil A (under 18).

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