SALA: THE STRIKER CARDIFF CITY NEVER HAD

A late bloomer, he began his professional career in France with Bordeaux , making his professional debut in February 2012. After struggling to break into the first team, he was loaned out to Championnat National side Orléans and Ligue 2 side Niort in consecutive seasons. He enjoyed prolific spells with both clubs, scoring 39 goals between them, before returning to Bordeaux.

His breakthrough came at FC Nantes where he scored 48 in 133 games, finishing as the club's top goalscorer for three consecutive seasons. His form prompted a move to Cardiff City in January 2019, for a club record fee of £15 million (€18 million).

He was involved in a plane crash off Alderney on 21 January 2019. He was a passenger aboard a Piper Malibu light aircraft flying from Nantes to Cardiff. An initial three-day search covered 1,700 square miles (4,400 km 2 ) across the English Channel. Two subsequent private searches were launched, resulting in the discovery of the wreckage on 3 February 2019; his body was recovered four days later. He was confirmed dead on 7 February 2019.

HIS CAREER IN NUMBERS

236 Games
95 Goals
No Trophies

Argentine striker Emiliano Raúl Sala Taffarel was born on this day in 1990.