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NINE things you need to know about Falcao

Cape Town - Manchester United have landed the "marquee signing" of Colombian striker Falcao.

Read: The top FIVE transfer spenders

The NINE things you need to know about Falcao:

1. He was named after a Brazilian midfielder

Full Name: Radamel Falcao García Zárate. The Colombian striker went on to adopt his second name as his preferred name. His soccer mad father named his son after Brazil's Paulo Roberto Falcão. 

2. His dad could kick the ball too

Radamel García, Falcao's old man, was known as a (really) tough tackling centre-back in the '70's and '80's.

3. His nickname - El Tigre

El Tigre or The Tiger. Falcao is known to be agile, quick and ruthless in front of goal.

4. He almost joined Aston Villa (not quite)

In 2008, while at River Plate, Aston Villa's advances for Falcao were rejected by the Argentine club. Reports also link AC Milan with a $15 million bid which was also snubbed by the club.

5. He scores goals! Beautiful and majestic goals!



6. Injury ruled him out of the 2014 Soccer World Cup

Falcao injured his knee against non-league side Monts d'Or Azergues in January 2014 and was forced to miss the World Cup in Brazil.

7. His goal tally is impressive, seriously impressive - 220 goals in 356 games

River Plate: 45 goals / 105 games

Porto: 72 goals / 87 games

Atletico Madrid: 70 goals / 91 games

Monaco: 13 goals / 22 games

Colombia: 20 goals / 51 games

8. Total cost in transfer fees - £96.1 million

River Plate to Porto: £3.1 million

Porto to Atletico Madrid: £35 million

Atletico Madrid - Monaco: £52 million

Monaco - Manchester United : £6 million

9. Thierry Henry is his idol

When he made his move to Monaco (for mega-money), the striker was quoted as saying: "My heart has been with Monaco since my idol Thierry Henry played there."
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