ENGLAND star Anthony Gordon showed off his language skills by speaking fluent Spanish without notes at his FC Barcelona unveiling on Friday.
British footballers have long held a reputation for lacklustre language skills, with the likes of Gareth Bale, David Beckham and Michael Owen famously failing to get to grips with the local lingo once swapping their native homelands for some Spanish sunshine.
But the latest generation of Brits spreading their wings to Spain appear eager to buck the trend.
Last year, former Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold wowed supporters by speaking in Spanish during his unveiling at new club Real Madrid.
“It is a dream come true. I am very happy and proud to be here. I want to show Real Madrid fans how I play. I do realise I am signing for Real Madrid and the demands are high but I am going to give my all for the team and Real Madrid fans,” the 27-year-old told Los Blancos supporters last June.
The year prior, Alexander Arnold’s great friend Jude Bellingham received applause from onlookers by thanking Real supporters in near-perfect Spanish during a trophy parade through the capital.
Gordon, 25, stunned fans with flawless Spanish on Friday evening, after putting pen-to-paper on a five-year deal worth around €80 million from Newcastle United.
Wearing a dark suit with a pair of sunglasses nestled in his top pocket, Gordon stood and answered questions from journalists – initially in English, but then in Spanish as he gained confidence, before even trying his hand at some Catalan.
READ MORE: Brit exodus to Spain continues as Barcelona sign Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford
The Merseyside-born winger revealed he had been learning the language because he has wanted to play for the club since he was three.
“Look, believe it or not, I learnt Spanish in the past because I’ve always known I would play for Barca…that was my dream,” Gordon told the press.
“I had a Spanish physio at Newcastle and we spoke everyday and I told him one day I would play for Barca so I want to learn Spanish – that’s why.”
Gordon’s arrival could spell bad news for Marcus Rashford, who joined the Catalan giants on a season-long loan move last season.
He became the first men’s England international to sign for the club since prolific striker, former Match of the Day host and crisp magnate Gary Lineker in 1986.
But Gordon, who scored 39 goals in 152 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions, looks likely to take his spot in the squad – even though Barcelona can activate a much cheaper €30 million option to sign Rashford permanently.
Gordon will join up with his new teammates after this summer’s World Cup in North America.
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