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>","8D04D562CDE8A422":"Zoltan Gera","FA149E2002A43ED77C24C62CDFF094A5":"4","9EBD0BFF9766B31DC62FC685463AF421":"Hungary(U21)","28017CE41B75854B":"Vasas SC","8DC362CCE065919BEFF67A555F929850":"","82CBDCB828DBDF89E0DAB2151FFA57BC":"","0C852134AA40B2DD":"1","A16D5E6475634BB126EF698FB3550B8C":"0","A16D5E6475634BB1C2248B183B7E41495B218039EB2EF0A3":"1","5E8F53D0A504BF86":"Zoltan Gera","0A9B0394F31973599466C3FC5C90F503":"Hungary(U21)","4678B5349347B7EB":"75kg","DA5E7C1A0F1CB8295E941203AD41B403":"Hungary","F27CBDD6332F20A59321B0F4E9CF2AB8":"999","30A86FC0880FF75E":"183cm","09702F2B27619389F07D77F05427B135":"2024-2-27","e_index":1};