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>","74BFD6A545ABAB8E":"Zoltan Gera","584B722087373EED7A432DDE0763CE35":"4","05B90AE4F21571952008D48326AE77E3":"999","9B962DAE9CDB1287":"75kg","F14A25307A7B90F34DF7D46459F247E0":"1979-4-22","519F480A5D95AABE6A686DDD7927C081":"","43E2EE6075CF14CE923FBA848936BF61":"Hungary","A864A266DCFFDDB8":"Hungary(U21)","37FE64B882E92ECB":"Zoltan Gera","AA81248D0821D00F98F4B00F632DA61D":"Ferencvarosi TC","1CD1A53514962B6A":"1","CDD05FD46E6F78B9D0F32E90D6F8FBF1":"","80071F80C4550E7F":"183cm","A3B3C821F4815DD2":"12389","229187823D238BA5":"1300","165A9E64AAEECF0376C325C4F36A5C95":"0","F849A024F3C8AF1B2C4A709B4C92BB0F":"2019-6-7","165A9E64AAEECF036C1B6B6A72794204F7BF560594F29F16":"1","e_index":3};