Wikipedia

Rudy Gestede

Rudy Philippe Michel Camille Gestede (born 10 October 1988) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is currently head of football operations at Blackburn Rovers.

Rudy Gestede
Gestede with Esteghlal in 2022
Personal information
Full name Rudy Philippe Michel Camille Gestede[1]
Date of birth (1988-10-10) 10 October 1988 (age 36)[2]
Place of birth Essey-lès-Nancy, France
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Blackburn Rovers
(Head of Football Operations)
Youth career
2004–2007 Metz
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2010 Metz B 27 (3)
2007–2011 Metz 28 (3)
2009–2010 → Cannes (loan) 22 (4)
2011–2014 Cardiff City 55 (7)
2013–2014 → Blackburn Rovers (loan) 6 (2)
2014–2015 Blackburn Rovers 60 (32)
2015–2017 Aston Villa 50 (9)
2017–2020 Middlesbrough 59 (6)
2020–2021 Melbourne Victory 18 (5)
2021 Panetolikos 3 (1)
2021–2022 Esteghlal 23 (3)
Total 351 (75)
International career
2006–2008 France U19 17 (0)
2013–2016 Benin 11 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After coming through the youth ranks at Metz, Gestede spent a year on loan gaining experience with Cannes, scoring four goals in 22 appearances, before returning to Metz in 2010. In the summer of 2011, he joined Cardiff City, helping the club to secure promotion to the Premier League. However, he found first team chances limited with Cardiff at the start of 2013–14, prompting a loan move to Blackburn Rovers in 2013. In January 2014, he made a permanent transfer to Blackburn and established himself in the first team, forming a prolific partnership with Jordan Rhodes in attack.

Gestede played internationally for France at under-19 level before switching international allegiance to Benin, going on to win 11 caps for the national side since his debut in 2013.

Club career

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Metz

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Born in Essey-lès-Nancy, Gestede started at youth level at the age of 16, in 2004, where he played for Metz. A year later, he signed a professional contract with Metz's B Team. In 2007, he was promoted to play for the first team, whilst still also continuing to play for the B team, but in 2010, he ended his five years playing for the B team when he was sent on loan to Cannes.

Cardiff City

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Gestede joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on a week-long trial during City's training camp in Seville, Spain in July 2011. He scored his first goal for Cardiff in the 25th minute of the club's pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic on 15 July.[3][4] On 23 July, Gestede passed his medical and was unveiled as a Cardiff City player three days later.[5] He made his competitive debut for Cardiff on 7 August against West Ham United, coming on in the 68th minute in place of Robert Earnshaw, setting up Kenny Miller for the match's only goal. Gestede's first start came the following game three days later, on 10 August, against Oxford United in the League Cup.[6] He made his 50th appearance in a 5–3 victory over Huddersfield Town, putting in a man of the match performance. Gestede scored his first goal for Cardiff City against Leicester City in the League Cup, before going on to convert from the penalty spot in his side's 7–6 penalty shootout victory over Leicester.[7]

Gestede's first league goal came on 15 October against Ipswich Town, with the game also marking his first league start for Cardiff. The following game, however, on 21 October, he suffered an hamstring injury, which meant he was ruled out for several weeks.[8] He returned in a goalless draw at Millwall on 10 December. Gestede scored a penalty in Cardiff City's semi-final victory against Crystal Palace in the League Cup. Gestede scored his third goal for Cardiff on 14 February 2012, in a 3–1 win over Peterborough. In the League Cup Final against Premier League club Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on 26 February, Cardiff City lost 3–2 on penalties, with Gestede missing one of City's spot-kicks. On 19 April, Gestede signed a two-year deal keeping him at Cardiff City Stadium until 2014.[9]

Gestede suffered a pre-season injury which kept him out of the first two months of the 2012–13 season.[citation needed] He made his return on 6 October coming on in the second half against Ipswich Town.[citation needed] Gestede's first goal of the season came on 15 December in a 2–1 loss against Peterborough United. Gestede scored two headers[when?] as City beat Nottingham Forest 3–0 at Cardiff City Stadium. He collected a winners' medal as City won the Championship title and were promoted to the Premier League in April 2013.

Blackburn Rovers

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Gestede playing for Cardiff City in 2012

On 26 November 2013, Gestede joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of 2013 under an emergency loan arrangement after he found his playing time at Cardiff reduced since their promotion to the Premier League.[10] Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer stated that Gestede was the type of player the team needed to assist talisman Jordan Rhodes in an important season for the club.

Gestede scored his first goal for Rovers on 1 January 2014 against Leeds United via a header in a 2–1 victory.[11]

On 1 January 2014, Gestede signed for the club permanently, on a three-and-a-half-year deal, along with Tom Cairney, who was also on loan at Blackburn at the same time as him.[12] On 21 April, Gestede scored a first-half hat-trick, against Birmingham City.[13] He won the Championship Player of the Month Award for April after scoring six goals in the seven games in that month.[14]

Aston Villa

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On 31 July 2015, after intense speculation, Gestede signed for Premier League club Aston Villa on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £6 million.[15] He made his debut as a substitute away at Bournemouth, heading the winning goal in a 1–0 victory.[16] On 22 September 2015, he scored the winner in a 1–0 League Cup victory over archrivals Birmingham City.[17] On 26 September 2015, he scored a brace in a 3–2 defeat to Liverpool away at Anfield.[18]

Middlesbrough

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On 2 January 2017, Aston Villa accepted a bid from Premier League club Middlesbrough for Gestede, reported to be in the region of £6m.[19] He officially signed for the club on 4 January 2017.[20] Gestede made his debut for the club and his top-level return in a 0–0 draw against Watford on 14 January 2017.[21] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat against Manchester United on 19 March 2017.[22] On 21 August 2017, Middlesbrough rejected a £6 million bid for the player from Leeds United.[23][24]

He picked up an injury in September 2017, after picking up a dead leg which required surgery after a bleed.[25] He returned from the injury on 2 December 2017 against Bristol City,[26] he picked up another injury which almost ended his season when he fractured his ankle against Hull City in February 2018.[27] He returned on 15 May 2018 for Middlesbrough as a second-half substitute in the Championship Playoff Semi Final second leg against Aston Villa.[28]

Gestede was released by Middlesbrough on 30 June 2020, after previously refusing to play the remaining games of the 2019–20 season.[29]

Melbourne Victory

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On 25 November 2020 Melbourne Victory announced that they had signed Gestede. He was quoted as saying “I am extremely pleased to have signed with Melbourne Victory for this season, after speaking with the club, in particular Grant Brebner, I was very impressed with the vision they outlined around the brand of football they want to play and the role they want me to play.” [30]

In his debut season with the Victory, Gestede made 18 appearances, finishing with 5 goals and 2 assists; alongside Jake Brimmer and Elvis Kamsoba, Gestede finished as Melbourne Victory's joint top goalscorer for the 2020–21 season.[31]

Panetolikos

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After a poor season at Melbourne Victory, he signed a 2-year deal for Greek club Panetolikos, but he only played 3 games (all in the starting eleven) and scored just one goal.

Esteghlal

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On 30 October 2021, Gestede signed for Esteghlal on a two-year contract.[32] He was given shirt number 39.[33] Six days later, he made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Fajr Sepasi.[34] On 24 December, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 victory against Shahr Khodro.[35] On 17 March 2022, he scored 2 minutes after coming on as a substitute in a match against Persepolis, becoming Esteghlal's first non-Iranian player to score in the Tehran Derby.[36] He left the club after his first season following his contract termination by mutual consent.[37]

He announced his retirement a year later.[38]

International career

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Gestede played for the France under-19 national team between 2006 and 2008. He was called up for the Benin national team in February 2013 for the World Cup qualifiers due to a parent being of Beninois origin; he was also eligible for the United States through a grandparent.[39]

After three years, he was recalled to the national team in August 2019.[40]

Post-playing career

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On 14 June 2024, Gestede returned to former club Blackburn Rovers as Head of Football Operations.[41]

Personal life

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In the summer of 2012, Rudy's wife, Hawa, gave birth to their first child, Elijah Gestede.[42] He is a Muslim.[43]

Career statistics

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Gestede playing for Cardiff City in 2011
As of match played on 13 July 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Metz 2010–11[44] Ligue 2 11 3 2 1 1 1 – 14 5
Cardiff City 2011–12[45] Championship 25 2 1 0 5 1 — 31 3
2012–13[46] Championship 27 5 0 0 0 0 — 27 5
2013–14[47] Premier League 3 0 0 0 2 1 — 5 1
Total 55 7 1 0 7 2 — 63 9
Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2013–14[47] Championship 6 1 1 0 0 0 — 7 1
Blackburn Rovers 2013–14[47] Championship 21 12 1 0 0 0 — 22 12
2014–15[48] Championship 39 20 4 2 1 0 — 44 22
Total 66 33 6 2 1 0 — 73 35
Aston Villa 2015–16 Premier League 32 5 2 0 2 1 — 36 6
2016–17 Championship 18 4 2 0 2 0 — 22 4
Total 50 9 4 0 4 1 — 58 10
Middlesbrough 2016–17 Premier League 16 1 3 1 0 0 — 19 2
2017–18 Championship 19 3 1 1 1 0 — 21 4
2018–19 Championship 4 0 2 0 2 0 — 8 0
2019–20 Championship 19 2 2 0 1 0 — 22 2
Total 59 6 8 2 4 0 — 71 8
Melbourne Victory 2020–21 A-League 17 5 — — — 17 5
Esteghlal 2021–22 Persian Gulf Pro League 23 3 2 0 — — 25 3
Career total 269 64 23 5 17 4 — 292 73

Honours

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Gestede with the championship medal of the 2021–22 Persian Gulf Pro League

Cardiff City

Esteghlal

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Player shirt numbers for 20 Barclays Premier League clubs released". Premier League. 8 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Premier League Player Profile Rudy Gestede". Barclays Premier League. 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  3. ^ "New French striker set to make Cardiff City debut against Charlton Athletic". South Wales Echo. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  4. ^ "City start pre-season with win". Cardiff City Football Club. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Rudy Gestede deal completed". Cardiff City Football Club. 26 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Oxford Utd 1 – 3 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Cardiff 2 – 2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  8. ^ "Gestede in fresh injury blow at City". South Wales Echo. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Cardiff City extend striker Rudy Gestede's contract until 2014". BBC Sport. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Rudy Gestede: Blackburn Rovers sign Cardiff City striker on loan". BBC. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  11. ^ "Leeds United 1–2 Blackburn Rovers". BBC. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  12. ^ "Blackburn Rovers sign Tom Cairney and Rudy Gestede". BBC. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  13. ^ "Birmingham 1–4 Blackburn". BBC. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  14. ^ "Latest Sky Bet Championship News". www.football-league.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Aston Villa sign Rudy Gestede from Blackburn Rovers". Sky Sports. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Bournemouth 0–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015.
  17. ^ "Aston Villa 1–0 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  18. ^ "Liverpool 3–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 26 September 2015.
  19. ^ "Middlesbrough agree fee for Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede". BBC Sport. 2 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  20. ^ "Middlesbrough Complete The Signing Of Rudy Gestede From Aston Villa". Middlesbrough F.C. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Watford 0–0 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  22. ^ "Middlesbrough 1–3 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  23. ^ "Rudy Gestede: Middlesbrough reject Leeds United bid for striker – and won't encourage further offers". Gazette. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Leeds cool interest in Middlesbrough forward Rudy Gestede". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  25. ^ "Rudy Gestede undergoes surgery after freak training ground incident". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  26. ^ "Rudy Gestede | Football Stats | Middlesbrough | Season 2017/2018 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.
  27. ^ "Middlesbrough's Rudy Gestede ruled out for the rest of the season with fractured ankle". Gazette. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  28. ^ "How Aston Villa reached the play-off final". BBC Sport. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  29. ^ Sharpe, Rich (28 June 2020). "Rudy Gestede to become a free agent after Boro exit". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Melbourne Victory signs Rudy Gestede". Melbourne Victory. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Recap: 2020/21 Victory Medal". Melbourne Victory FC. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  32. ^ "رودی ژستد رسما استقلالی شد" [Rudi Gestede is officially an Esteghlal player]. Esteghlal F.C. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  33. ^ Mohamadaliha, Farzam (2 November 2021). پیراهن شماره 39 استقلال برتن رودی ژستد [Shirt number 39 on Rudy Gestede] (in Persian). Tarafdari. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  34. ^ "فجرسپاسی ۱ - استقلال ۱/ سیروان کام استقلال را تلخ کرد" (in Persian). Khabar Varzeshi. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  35. ^ "پدیده ۰ - ۳ استقلال؛ پیروزی پرگل استقلال مقابل پدیده" (in Persian). Iran International. 24 December 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  36. ^ شیرجه رودی ژستد به استخر طلا [Rudy Gestede's dive to the pool of gold] (in Persian). Varzesh 3. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  37. ^ Validoost, Ehsan (1 June 2022). با توافقی‌ دو طرفه، رودی ژستد از استقلال جدا شد / رسمی [Shirt Official, Rudy Gestede left the club after terminating his contract by mutual consent.] (in Persian). Tarafdari. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  38. ^ "Former: Rudy Gestede (ex-FC Metz) officially announces his retirement from sport!". Lookcharms. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  39. ^ Phillips, Terry (15 March 2013). "Cardiff City Star Rudy Gestede Called Up by Benin". Wales Online. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  40. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (28 August 2019). "Benin: Striker Rudy Gestede back in squad after three-year absence". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  41. ^ "Rovers confirm key appointments". www.rovers.co.uk. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  42. ^ "Cardiff City star Rudy Gestede promises players will not forget club's history after re-branding". South Wales Echo. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  43. ^ "'Getting Personal' with Rudy Gestede". Blackburn Rovers. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  44. ^ "Benin – R. Gestede – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway.
  45. ^ "Games played by Rudy Gestede in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  46. ^ "Games played by Rudy Gestede in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  47. ^ a b c "Games played by Rudy Gestede in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  48. ^ "Games played by Rudy Gestede in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  49. ^ "Starting Lineups - Cardiff vs Liverpool". Sky Sports. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  50. ^ "Burnley's Sean Dyche and Blackburn's Rudy Gestede claim April awards". Sky Sports. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
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