Kieffer Moore almost became China international before committing to Wales
Don’t wait around for updates – sign up for our daily football email newsletter today!
There is something about Kieffer Moore, that scarlet red colour and dragons. And it is not only based on the fact he represents Wales.
The striker has been one of the popular figures in Robert Page’s Euro 2020 squad after heading home a precious equaliser against Switzerland in the group stage opener, despite having his head bandaged.
But if things had worked out differently, Moore could have been on the other side of the world in the Far East, after pursuing a route to representing China at international level not so long ago.
The South China Morning Post reported that Moore was a target for naturalisation by Chinese Super League sides, including Beijing Guoan and Jiangsu Suning, after discovering his potential eligibility through his family.
Moore's great-grandfather on his mother's side came from Guangdong before migrating to Liverpool in the 1940s and the striker believed it could be enough to gain eligibility.
Despite travelling to Beijing to discuss the possibility of playing for the China national side in 2019, FIFA rules would deny him the opportunity.
As it happened, Moore would make his debut for Wales in September 2019 under Ryan Giggs and after playing a key role in a deep-lying attacking role, he forced his way into their Euro 2020 squad.
Moore’s towering frame — he dwarfs most defenders at 6’5 — has given Wales a focal point in attack and allowed Gareth Bale to enjoy a free role, roaming from the right wing into central areas.
His battling displays may have left him bruised and bloodied, after taking a whack from Calgar Soyuncu in their 2-0 win over Turkey, but Moore knows receiving such treatment is common in football.
"It takes its toll but I'm all good," he told Sky Sports.
"I've just been in the wars, it's part and parcel of football. The way I play I'm bound to get some minor knocks."
Will Wales progress to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals against Denmark on Saturday? Let us know your score predictions in the comments section below.
In many ways, he is Wales’ very own Jamie Vardy — and the fact he is turning out at the European Championships is merely another chapter in his incredible rise.
Times have not always been easy in his career. He was discovered after scoring 13 goals in 22 games for seventh-tier outfit Truro City and after continuing his purple patch in front of goal at Dorchester Town, he was picked up by Yeovil Town in 2013.
The move didn’t quite go to plan and an ill-fated spell in Norway with Viking FK lasted just four months before he returned to the UK with Forest Green Rovers.
After helping them reach the promised land of the Football League, he was snapped up by Ipswich Town for £20,000 in January 2017. He was farmed out on loan to Rotherham United and after impressing with the Millers, joined Barnsley on a permanent deal.
The target man found form there, scoring 21 goals in 51 appearances, and joined Championship side Wigan in August 2019. But after they were hit by administration and a points deduction, he left to sign for Cardiff.
That move reunited him with Mick McCarthy, who had signed plucked him from non-league football to bring him to Ipswich and gave him his first crack at the big time in professional football.
“He was pretty raw when I took a chance on him for £20,000," McCarthy said earlier this year.
“He’s bought into everything with everyone who has tried to help him and he’s just progressed so much.
Don't miss a thing with our football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?
Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox – don't miss a thing.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.
And that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top news stories every single morning.
You can find out more information on our email newsletter on this link here.
“Kieffer gets really well marked by teams but he surprises a lot of people. He’s made himself a much more rounded player since I picked him up from Forest Green."
Even if his style of play is more resemblant of Niall Quinn, a traditional centre-forward, his Cardiff team-mates have jokingly started calling him ‘Zlatan’ after the Swedish legend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And his Wales team-mate Jonny Williams spoke highly of playing alongside Moore and could not fathom why he was such a late bloomer.
"He is a top player, he has improved so much since I saw him at Ipswich," Williams told the BBC's EJFOF podcast.
"He didn't play much under Mick at Ipswich at all.
"But to improve like he has and become the player he has, he is built like a brick house, you know you can give him the ball wherever. He has been a pleasure to play with.
Five things you might have missed as Wales defeat Turkey despite Gareth Bale penalty miss
"You know he is going to hold it and do something with it. It's probably a bit of a disservice, people saying he has got a bad touch.
"I can't speak highly enough of him. You just wonder where he has been? He is 28 now.”
Having qualified from their group in second position, Wales can look forward to a difficult clash against the Denmark in the last-16 knockout stage on Saturday.
Moore looks likely to lead from the front again, with the support act of Bale and Daniel James on either flank and Aaron Ramsey in behind.
With his imperious presence in attack and warrior spirit, it will take some effort for the Dutch to keep him from making an impact and firing Wales to the latter stages.
- Aaron Ramsey
- Gareth Bale
- Jamie Vardy
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Euro 2020
- Wales Football Team
Source: Read Full Article