Woodgate signed for Real Madrid in August 2004 for a transfer fee of £13.4 million.[5] This was to the surprise of many in the football world,[6] due to his frequent absences through injury at his previous clubs, and indeed he was injured at the time of the transfer.

Woodgate did not make any appearances for Real Madrid in his first season in Spain, eventually making his debut on 22 September 2005, in a league match against Athletic Bilbao. The game didn't go very well for him, and he embarrassed himself scoring an own goal and was later sent off for a second bookable offence. This utterly diabolical performance lead to Woodgate receiving months of counselling. The season only got worse for Woodgate as he developed a weak bladder and began to wet his bed regularly, which meant he could not have friends over in the evening, so he spent much of his time lodging at his gay uncle's house who fortunately lived in Madrid. However, his performances after the match meant that Woodgate was regarded for a period of his time at the club as something of a cult-hero.[7] He scored his only goal for Real Madrid in the 4–1 UEFA Champions League defeat of Rosenborg BK on 19 October 2005, his first appearance for the club in European competition.

By February 2006, Woodgate had established himself as a first team player, with the other centre half position rotating among Sergio Ramos, Iván Helguera, Francisco Pavon and Ãlvaro Mejía. One Spanish newspaper even described him as having "become Madrid's true leader".[8] However, further injury setbacks again stopped him playing. He was considered to have an outside chance of making the England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but due to surgery on his back was not named in the squad.

In July 2007, Woodgate was voted the worst signing of the 21st century by users of the website of Spain's leading sports daily, Diario Marca, polling 37.11% of the votes cast

From Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Woodgate

Haha, it has been changed already, sadly.

Talk about a strange career. This was a guy I wanted us to pick up cheap when he was at Newcastle. He has certainly had a weird journey. I know, too, even after that horrible debut in Madrid, "Woody" was a cult hero to Madridistas somehow. Probably becuase they love players with a bit of physical steel, but he did next to nothing there.

Cant believe he is still on Totteham's books. Apparrently he might come back soon, but I just wish the guy would retire and stop the whole charade.

It still says he got counselling??? lol

Just removed the bladder "fact" haha

Edited February 1, 201114 yr by Cam