The Hair footballer 9 Guillermo FRANCO

The Hair footballer 9 Guillermo FRANCO

The Hair footballer Mexico

• Date of Birth: 3 November 1976
• Height: 182 cm
• Shirt number: 9
• Position: Forward
• Current club: West Ham Utd. (ENG)
• International Caps: 21
• International Goals: 7
• First international: Mexico - Guatemala
  (8 October 2005)

Club History

• Villarreal CF (ESP): From 2006 to 2009
• Monterrey (MEX): From 2002 to 2006
• San Lorenzo (ARG): From 1995 to 2002

A member of the Mexico squad at Germany 2006, Guille Franco is appearing at his second FIFA World Cup™ finals. Born in Argentina, the West Ham United striker started out at San Lorenzo before moving to Monterrey, where he became a firm fans’ favourite and met his wife. After deciding to take out Mexican citizenship, he was called up by his adopted country, making his debut in a Germany 2006 qualifier against Guatemala and starting the group games against Iran and Angola at the finals themselves.

Joining Spain’s Villarreal earlier in 2006, he became an important part of Manuel Pellegrini’s side and contributed to their run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League that year. He left La Liga for West Ham in 2009, going on to score four goals in 21 appearances for the Hammers in his first season.

A versatile forward, Franco can play as an out-an-out striker but is happier in a supporting role, where his abilities on the ball allow him to link up play and his selfless running makes him a useful first line of defence. Although 33, he still has much to offer his country and can perform a valuable role for El Tri at South Africa 2010.