When £600k brought a hero: Paulo Wanchope’s iconic Derby County chapter | OneFootball

Costa Rican international Paulo Wanchope will forever be a cult hero at Pride Park

Costa Rican centre forward Paulo Wanchope will forever be a cult hero at Derby County.

Paulo Wanchope joined the Rams in 1997 from Costa Rican side, Herediano, for £600k. It was a risky transfer in the Rams' history that soon paid off as the striker delivered some iconic moments to the Derby faithful.

Wanchope's time at Derby will be remembered for his clinical nature in front of goal. The Costa Rican international played 81 times for the Rams and scored 26 goals and provided two assists in his spell.

With there being little knowledge of Wanchope prior to his arrival in England, he settled into life in the Midlands quickly, and adapted to the fast-paced Premier League by becoming the Rams' main source of goals in his two years at the club.

Despite many memorable moments in White and Black, Wanchope's debut was the fixture that marked him down in Derby County history.

Paulo Wanchope's special Old Trafford introduction

Of those 26 goals that Wanchope scored for County, the pick of the bunch came on the Costa Rican's debut away to Manchester United at Old Trafford merely two weeks after signing his contract.

Wanchope picked up the ball in his own half and drove through the heart of the United midfield, gliding past four players, including both Neville brothers, before composing himself to slot the ball into the bottom right-hand corner past Peter Schmeichal to give the Rams a 0-2 advantage.

The game went on to finish 2-3 with Derby walking away with all three points. A true underdog story that had Derby fans in awe of their new man up-front.

Wanchope's goal is still regarded as one of the highlights of the 1996/97 season, and the result the most memorable in Derby's Premier League history.

The Costa Rican's solo run and finish was voted by supporters as their favourite at the club’s 125-year celebrations in 2009.

Paulo Wanchope starred in the 1997/98 Premier League season

Wanchope's following season for the Rams in 1997/98 was nothing short of spectacular as his 13 league goals helped Derby to a ninth-place finish, as well as the striker notching 17 goals in all competitions.

He certainly established himself as one of Derby's best-ever finishers and became a fan-favourite instantly by scoring seven game-winning goals that season. Wanchope's efforts helped the Rams on their way to a top-half finish, which remains to be their second highest during their time in the Premier League.

Wanchope was no stranger to scoring against the big teams, as Derby fans to this day still talk about his header against Liverpool in their 1-0 win at home, or his 77th minute winner against Tottenham to seal a 2-1 win.

The list really does go on.

After seeking to impress, it's of no surprise that clubs came calling to sign the Costa Rican. A year later, Wanchope made the move down South to join West Ham for £3.5m. Although Derby fans were sad to see their star man leave, his departure went down as a profitable transfer and overall, shrewd business.

Ultimately, Wanchope's two years for the Rams were special. Taking a calculated risk on his £600k price tag certainly paid off as his services to the club in the Premier League will be remembered for years to come around Pride Park.