THE 'Magic Magyar' joined Albion from Ferencvaros in a £1.5million deal in July 2004, fresh from winning the domestic league and cup double with his former club.<\/P>
The Baggies beat off competition from several top European clubs to land the attacking midfielder, who penned a three-year Hawthorns contract, with a further year's option in the club's favour.<\/P>
Gera's last-gasp equaliser at Sunderland in September 2005 provided a brief highlight during a 2005\/06 campaign which became a virtual write-off thanks to a perplexing pelvic problem which refused to go away.<\/P>
The Hungary international was even given permission by the club to fly back to his homeland for treatment by a specialist who had helped him in the past in a bid to solve the injury problem.<\/P>
Following two failed comebacks at Christmas time, it was a further four months before he returned to action to play in the final seven games, scoring in Albion's Premiership farewell at Everton. <\/P>
Gera was a revelation in his first season in English football during 2004\/05. His all-action displays at right-midfield caught the eye and his six Premiership goals helped the Baggies pull off the Great Escape.<\/P>Gera<\/SPAN> also skippered his country under former Hungary coach and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus.<\/SPAN>","31E4B7E841B17C66":"Zoltan Gera","FD1933E1882D5E7A359B4C628D33E9A5":"","289C5F85E5EE1B609E88960AAED5C65D":"1979-4-22","1E9A8D352C52FB60DE0D25B327F8FD01":"2024-2-27","3DD52A7123843A0560A25759647B9CE0":"Hungary(U21)","95081CC600C137A3ECD07E1A2BAC6047":"999","B628C0FB460378A59B43DF6E4A568663":"","3CD2F9D069A357CC":"Vasas SC","70356B8F0C59F6B5":"1680","76E5DE99890AB189":"183cm","DAF09C52CF6076BD5E585110E27D1A5D":"0","033EA04110C4B96A":"1","DF03820F537F8E7C44B40F46867462D3":"Hungary","DAF09C52CF6076BDF21F9C2EFDD9E43065C5B3AC13FF9DA2":"1","6438FCEB8DF4FD62E750E852E54A855D":"Hungary(U21)","5F702665ABB271EC":"Zoltan Gera","26A41B77C025E2F442D11C4E5D31FCE8":"4","F9622CC2808B37CB":"75kg","e_index":7};