- Colin Kazim recalled the time he was signed by Brighton in 2005
- He was signed for £250,000 after a fan of the club won the sum in a competition.
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast ” Everything starts ! »
Former Fenerbahce and Blackburn star Colin Kazim Richards recalls the time he was signed by Brighton and Hove Albion for £250.00 after a fan of the club won the sum in a Coke competition -Cola.
The 37-year-old truly defines the word journeyman and has played for 18 different clubs in eight countries during his unique career.
His first taste of senior football came in 2004 when he played for Bury after struggling to break into Arsenal’s first team.
In 2005, a transfer war between Brighton and Wigan broke out – with both clubs eager to secure his signature. The Lacticians were close to signing the striker as the club was willing to pay more money.
The same year, Coca-Cola ran a competition allowing fans to win a huge sum of money for their club as part of a sponsorship between the soft drinks company and the EFL.
Former Brighton striker Colin Kazim-Richards recalls the time he was signed by the Seagulls
The former Blackburn star was signed by the Seagulls after a fan of the club won £250,000 in a competition run by Coca-Cola.
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The striker was eventually signed by Brighton after Seagulls fan Aaron Berry won the prize money after signing up almost 80 times.
Speaking on the Dirty guys podcast, the 37-year-old explained how he was signed by Brighton in 2005.
“So how it worked…when you brought in a can of Coke, there was a (phone) number to call to see if you made money for your club,” he said.
“A Brighton fan won the money – Brighton already wanted me, I was already talking (to them). I was supposed to go to Wigan.
“Brighton couldn’t match the transfer fee Bury wanted. Then they earned that money, so they did it (brought me).
“It was a better story to say a fan brought me.”
Since then, the attacker has been known as the “Coca-Cola kid”.
Kazim-Richards would only play for the Seagulls for one season after falling out with then-manager Mark McGhee.
He has since played for Sheffield United, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Feyenoord and Celtic and has also made 37 appearances for Turkey.
Kazim-Richards is currently without a club after leaving Fatih Karagumruk in the Super Lig this summer.
Kazim-Richards would only spend one season at the club before being sold to Sheffield United
The 37-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Fatih Karagumruk in the Super Lig this summer.
