Luc Castaignos

Besides Arsenal, also Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim showed their interest in the Feyenoord's top scorer.

He made his UEFA Europa League debut, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win against Gent in the first leg of the play-off rounds (as Feyenoord went on to lose 2–0 in the return leg and was eliminated from the tournament).

In October 1990, two years before Luc's birth, the family moved to the Netherlands.

Castaignos started his youth career at the local Schiedam club Excelsior '20.

The youngster lived close to Sportpark Thurlede, the home ground of the Catholic club.

His former Excelsior '20 coach, Paul Benschop, was soon convinced by Castaignos' quality: "Everyone could see how much potential he had. Whenever we conceded a goal, Luc would take care of business."

At the age of 13, he participated on regional club Spartaan '20's opening day.

The club from Rotterdam, youth partner of Feyenoord, saw plenty of potential in the youngster and invited him to join.

Castaignos only played one season for Spartaan '20.

When various professional clubs showed their interest, Spartaan '20 warned Feyenoord.

Luc Castaignos (born 27 September 1992) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for club 1. FC Magdeburg.

The roots of Castaignos' family are located in the département of Landes, one hundred kilometers south of Bordeaux in the south-west of France.

There, Castaignos' father, the French-born Jean-Luc Castaignos, met Castaignos' mother who is of Cape Verdean descent and holder of an Italian passport.

At the age of 14, he joined the Feyenoord Academy in the summer of 2007.

On 30 October 2008, Castaignos signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord, keeping him at De Kuip until summer 2011 with an option for another two seasons.

He then progressed through the academy.

After a successful performance with the Netherlands U17 at the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, a clutch of sides were linked to the Dutch youngster.

However, on 22 July 2009, Castaignos crushed all rumours and told Feyenoord manager Mario Been and technical advisor Leo Beenhakker that he wanted to stay in Rotterdam.

On 21 June 2009, Been announced he invited Castaignos to train with the first team squad a few times a week.

On 13 August 2009, he trained with the first team squad for the first time.

Castaignos made his official debut in Feyenoord's first team on 24 September 2009 replacing Leroy Fer in the 72nd minute in the KNVB Cup away match against Harkemase Boys and helped the club win 5–0.

After making his first team debut for Feyenoord, he said: "It's strange, because I haven't really proven anything yet. My strengths are my speed and scoring ability, the heading and my left leg could be even better. I can learn a lot from a player like Roy Makaay. Now and then I ask for advice, but I mainly look at the training at which moments he walks away and so on. My debut is a first step, but there are still many steps to follow."

At one point, due to his lack of first team opportunities, Castaignos was expected to be loaned out to SBV Excelsior but he ended up staying at the club due to his latter injury.

Later in the 2009–10 season, Castaignos would make two more appearances and the club would finish in fourth place.

Five months later after making his first team debut and being on the unused bench, Castaignos made his debut, coming on for Jon Dahl Tomasson in a 3–2 loss against Groningen on 28 February 2010.

A month later on 24 March 2010, he made his first start of the season against FC Twente in the second leg of the KNVB Cup semi–finals and helped the club win 2–1 to reach the final.

The 2010–11 season campaign proved to be Castaignos' breakout season, stemming from squad rotation and losses in the transfer market.

Following the club's elimination in the UEFA Europa League, Castaignos scored his first career goal for Feyenoord, in a 4–0 win against Vitesse on 28 August 2010.

As a result, the club began talks with the player over a new contract.

However, he rejected a contract extension, leaving his future at Feyenoord uncertain.

Amid to the contract rejection, he scored three goals in three matches between 31 October 2010 and 14 November 2010 against AZ Alkmaar, Roda JC and SC Heerenveen.

Castaignos later scored two more goals by the end of the year, coming against ADO Den Haag on 28 November 2010 and SBV Excelsior on 11 December 2010.

In a friendly match against Sparta Rotterdam on 5 January 2011, he received a straight red card in the 57th minute for kicking an opponent, in a 4–2 win.

After the match, Castaignos was investigated for his actions by the KNVB, but no action was taken against him.

During the same month, he suffered ankle injury while training but quickly recovered from the injury.

A month later against Vitesse on 6 February 2011, Castaignos scored his seventh goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw.

Two weeks later on 20 February 2011, he scored his first brace of his career, in a 2–2 draw against ADO Den Haag.

Two weeks later on 6 March 2011, Castaignos scored his tenth goal of the season, in a 1–0 win against SC Heerenveen.

This was followed up by scoring his eleventh goal of the season, in a 2–1 win against NAC Breda.

Castaignos changed his mind when he signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2013, but his agent disputed the claims that the deal was done.