:Rudy Gestede

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Rudy Gestede

| image = Esteghlal Celebrate IPL Title Win at Azadi Stadium - 058.jpg

| caption = Gestede with Esteghlal in 2022

| full_name = Rudy Philippe Michel Camille Gestede{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/322804 |title=Updated Premier League squads for 2016/17 released |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|10|10|df=y}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur28404.html |title=Rudy Gestede |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=1 April 2025 |language=fr}}

| birth_place = Essey-lès-Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

| height = 1.93 m

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Blackburn Rovers
(Head of Football Operations)

| youthyears1 = 2004–2007

| youthclubs1 = Metz

| years1 = 2005–2010

| clubs1 = Metz B

| caps1 = 27

| goals1 = 3

| years2 = 2007–2011

| clubs2 = Metz

| caps2 = 28

| goals2 = 3

| years3 = 2009–2010

| clubs3 = → Cannes (loan)

| caps3 = 22

| goals3 = 4

| years4 = 2011–2014

| clubs4 = Cardiff City

| caps4 = 55

| goals4 = 7

| years5 = 2013–2014

| clubs5 = → Blackburn Rovers (loan)

| caps5 = 6

| goals5 = 2

| years6 = 2014–2015

| clubs6 = Blackburn Rovers

| caps6 = 60

| goals6 = 32

| years7 = 2015–2017

| clubs7 = Aston Villa

| caps7 = 50

| goals7 = 9

| years8 = 2017–2020

| clubs8 = Middlesbrough

| caps8 = 59

| goals8 = 6

| years9 = 2020–2021

| clubs9 = Melbourne Victory

| caps9 = 18

| goals9 = 5

| years10 = 2021

| clubs10 = Panetolikos

| caps10 = 3

| goals10 = 1

| years11 = 2021–2022

| clubs11 = Esteghlal

| caps11 = 23

| goals11 = 3

| totalcaps = 351

| totalgoals = 75

| nationalyears1 = 2006–2008

| nationalteam1 = France U19

| nationalcaps1 = 17

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2013–2016

| nationalteam2 = Benin

| nationalcaps2 = 11

| nationalgoals2 = 3

}}

Rudy Philippe Michel Camille Gestede (born 10 October 1988) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is currently head of football operations at Blackburn Rovers.

After coming through the youth ranks at Metz, Gestede spent a year on loan gaining experience with Cannes, scoring four goals in 22 appearances, before returning to Metz in 2010. In the summer of 2011, he joined Cardiff City, helping the club to secure promotion to the Premier League. However, he found first team chances limited with Cardiff at the start of 2013–14, prompting a loan move to Blackburn Rovers in 2013. In January 2014, he made a permanent transfer to Blackburn and established himself in the first team, forming a prolific partnership with Jordan Rhodes in attack.

Gestede played internationally for France at under-19 level before switching international allegiance to Benin, going on to win 11 caps for the national side since his debut in 2013.

Club career

=Metz=

Born in Essey-lès-Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Gestede started at youth level at the age of 16, in 2004, where he played for Metz. A year later, he signed a professional contract with Metz's B Team. In 2007, he was promoted to play for the first team, whilst still also continuing to play for the B team, but in 2010, he ended his five years playing for the B team when he was sent on loan to Cannes.

=Cardiff City=

Gestede joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on a week-long trial during City's training camp in Seville, Spain in July 2011. He scored his first goal for Cardiff in the 25th minute of the club's pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic on 15 July.{{cite news |title=New French striker set to make Cardiff City debut against Charlton Athletic |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2011/07/15/new-french-striker-set-to-make-cardiff-city-debut-against-charlton-athletic-91466-29056398/ |work=South Wales Echo |date=15 July 2011 |access-date=15 July 2011}}{{cite news|title=City start pre-season with win |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2394003,00.html |publisher=Cardiff City Football Club |date=15 July 2011 |access-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902032430/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2394003,00.html |archive-date=2 September 2011 }} On 23 July, Gestede passed his medical and was unveiled as a Cardiff City player three days later.{{cite news|title=Rudy Gestede deal completed |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2401435,00.html |publisher=Cardiff City Football Club |date=26 July 2011 |access-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922133041/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2401435,00.html |archive-date=22 September 2012 }} He made his competitive debut for Cardiff on 7 August against West Ham United, coming on in the 68th minute in place of Robert Earnshaw, setting up Kenny Miller for the match's only goal. Gestede's first start came the following game three days later, on 10 August, against Oxford United in the League Cup.{{cite news |title=Oxford Utd 1 – 3 Cardiff |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/14383989.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=10 August 2011}} He made his 50th appearance in a 5–3 victory over Huddersfield Town, putting in a man of the match performance. Gestede scored his first goal for Cardiff City against Leicester City in the League Cup, before going on to convert from the penalty spot in his side's 7–6 penalty shootout victory over Leicester.{{cite news |title=Cardiff 2 – 2 Leicester |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/14910203.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=21 September 2011 |access-date=21 September 2011}}

Gestede's first league goal came on 15 October against Ipswich Town, with the game also marking his first league start for Cardiff. The following game, however, on 21 October, he suffered an hamstring injury, which meant he was ruled out for several weeks.{{cite news |title=Gestede in fresh injury blow at City |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2011/10/21/gestede-in-fresh-injury-blow-at-city-91466-29633411/ |publisher=South Wales Echo |date=21 October 2011 |access-date=21 October 2011}} He returned in a goalless draw at Millwall on 10 December. Gestede scored a penalty in Cardiff City's semi-final victory against Crystal Palace in the League Cup. Gestede scored his third goal for Cardiff on 14 February 2012, in a 3–1 win over Peterborough. In the League Cup Final against Premier League club Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on 26 February, Cardiff City lost 3–2 on penalties, with Gestede missing one of City's spot-kicks. On 19 April, Gestede signed a two-year deal keeping him at Cardiff City Stadium until 2014.{{cite news |title=Cardiff City extend striker Rudy Gestede's contract until 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17779652 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 April 2012 |access-date=19 April 2012}}

Gestede suffered a pre-season injury which kept him out of the first two months of the 2012–13 season.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} He made his return on 6 October coming on in the second half against Ipswich Town.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Gestede's first goal of the season came on 15 December in a 2–1 loss against Peterborough United. Gestede scored two headers{{when|date=June 2024}} as City beat Nottingham Forest 3–0 at Cardiff City Stadium. He collected a winners' medal as City won the Championship title and were promoted to the Premier League in April 2013.

=Blackburn Rovers=

File:Rudy Gestede 2012.jpg in 2012]]

On 26 November 2013, Gestede joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of 2013 under an emergency loan arrangement after he found his playing time at Cardiff reduced since their promotion to the Premier League.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25112685 |title=Rudy Gestede: Blackburn Rovers sign Cardiff City striker on loan |date=26 November 2013 |access-date=2 January 2014 |publisher=BBC}} Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer stated that Gestede was the type of player the team needed to assist talisman Jordan Rhodes in an important season for the club.

Gestede scored his first goal for Rovers on 1 January 2014 against Leeds United via a header in a 2–1 victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25512911 |title=Leeds United 1–2 Blackburn Rovers |date=1 January 2014 |access-date=2 January 2014 |publisher=BBC}}

On 1 January 2014, Gestede signed for the club permanently, on a three-and-a-half-year deal, along with Tom Cairney, who was also on loan at Blackburn at the same time as him.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25581950 |title=Blackburn Rovers sign Tom Cairney and Rudy Gestede |date=2 January 2014 |access-date=2 January 2014 |publisher=BBC}} On 21 April, Gestede scored a first-half hat-trick, against Birmingham City.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27016264 |title=Birmingham 1–4 Blackburn |date=21 April 2014 |access-date=21 April 2014 |publisher=BBC}} He won the Championship Player of the Month Award for April after scoring six goals in the seven games in that month.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/championship/news/20140502/rudy-gestede-named-sky-bet-championship-player-of-the-month_2293322_3798904|title=Latest Sky Bet Championship News|website=www.football-league.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502181329/http://www.football-league.co.uk/championship/news/20140502/rudy-gestede-named-sky-bet-championship-player-of-the-month_2293322_3798904|archive-date=2 May 2014}}

=Aston Villa=

On 31 July 2015, after intense speculation, Gestede signed for Premier League club Aston Villa on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £6 million.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/9930863/aston-villa-sign-rudy-gestede-from-blackburn-rovers |title=Aston Villa sign Rudy Gestede from Blackburn Rovers |publisher=Sky Sports |date=31 July 2015 |access-date=10 April 2018}} He made his debut as a substitute away at Bournemouth, heading the winning goal in a 1–0 victory.{{Cite news |title=Bournemouth 0–1 Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33744565 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2015}} On 22 September 2015, he scored the winner in a 1–0 League Cup victory over archrivals Birmingham City.{{Cite news |title=Aston Villa 1–0 Birmingham City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34253383 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=26 September 2015}} On 26 September 2015, he scored a brace in a 3–2 defeat to Liverpool away at Anfield.{{Cite news |title=Liverpool 3–2 Aston Villa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34299540 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 September 2015}}

=Middlesbrough=

On 2 January 2017, Aston Villa accepted a bid from Premier League club Middlesbrough for Gestede, reported to be in the region of £6m.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38492332|title=Middlesbrough agree fee for Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede|date=2 January 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=3 January 2017}} He officially signed for the club on 4 January 2017.{{cite web|title=Middlesbrough Complete The Signing Of Rudy Gestede From Aston Villa|url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2016/middlesbrough-fc-rudy-gestede-aston-villa-3500194.aspx|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|access-date=4 January 2017}} Gestede made his debut for the club and his top-level return in a 0–0 draw against Watford on 14 January 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38539448|title=Watford 0–0 Middlesbrough |access-date=4 May 2017|publisher=BBC Sport}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat against Manchester United on 19 March 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39246750|title=Middlesbrough 1–3 Manchester United |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 May 2017}} On 21 August 2017, Middlesbrough rejected a £6 million bid for the player from Leeds United.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/rudy-gestede-middlesbrough-wont-encourage-13508164|title=Rudy Gestede: Middlesbrough reject Leeds United bid for striker – and won't encourage further offers |date=21 August 2017 |publisher=Gazette|access-date=21 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/11010803/leeds-cool-interest-in-middlesbrough-forward-rudy-gestede|title=Leeds cool interest in Middlesbrough forward Rudy Gestede|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=28 August 2017}}

He picked up an injury in September 2017, after picking up a dead leg which required surgery after a bleed.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11680/11024074/rudy-gestede-undergoes-surgery-after-freak-training-ground-incident|title=Rudy Gestede undergoes surgery after freak training ground incident|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=7 September 2017}} He returned from the injury on 2 December 2017 against Bristol City,{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=60631&season_id=150|title=Rudy Gestede | Football Stats | Middlesbrough | Season 2017/2018 | Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}} he picked up another injury which almost ended his season when he fractured his ankle against Hull City in February 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbroughs-rudy-gestede-ruled-out-14328673|title=Middlesbrough's Rudy Gestede ruled out for the rest of the season with fractured ankle|date=23 February 2018|publisher=Gazette|access-date=23 February 2018}} He returned on 15 May 2018 for Middlesbrough as a second-half substitute in the Championship Playoff Semi Final second leg against Aston Villa.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/44029324|title=How Aston Villa reached the play-off final|date=7 May 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2018}}

Gestede was released by Middlesbrough on 30 June 2020, after previously refusing to play the remaining games of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite news |last=Sharpe |first=Rich |date=28 June 2020 |title=Rudy Gestede to become a free agent after Boro exit |work=Lancashire Telegraph |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18546765.rudy-gestede-become-free-agent-boro-exit/ |access-date=26 December 2023}}

= Melbourne Victory =

On 25 November 2020 Melbourne Victory announced that they had signed Gestede. He was quoted as saying “I am extremely pleased to have signed with Melbourne Victory for this season, after speaking with the club, in particular Grant Brebner, I was very impressed with the vision they outlined around the brand of football they want to play and the role they want me to play.” {{Cite web|date=25 November 2020|title=Melbourne Victory signs Rudy Gestede|url=https://www.melbournevictory.com.au/news/melbourne-victory-signs-rudy-gestede|access-date=25 November 2020|website=Melbourne Victory|language=en}}

In his debut season with the Victory, Gestede made 18 appearances, finishing with 5 goals and 2 assists; alongside Jake Brimmer and Elvis Kamsoba, Gestede finished as Melbourne Victory's joint top goalscorer for the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |title=Recap: 2020/21 Victory Medal |url=https://www.melbournevictory.com.au/news/recap-202021-victory-medal |website=Melbourne Victory FC |date=5 June 2021 |access-date=13 June 2021}}

= Panetolikos =

After a poor season at Melbourne Victory, he signed a 2-year deal for Greek club Panetolikos, but he only played 3 games (all in the starting eleven) and scored just one goal.

= Esteghlal =

On 30 October 2021, Gestede signed for Esteghlal on a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://fcesteghlal.ir/news/view/815/رودی-ژستد-رسما-استقلالی-شد|title=رودی ژستد رسما استقلالی شد|trans-title=Rudi Gestede is officially an Esteghlal player|publisher=Esteghlal F.C.|date=30 October 2021|access-date=2 July 2022}} He was given shirt number 39.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/node/2022225|script-title=fa:پیراهن شماره 39 استقلال برتن رودی ژستد|trans-title=Shirt number 39 on Rudy Gestede|publisher=Tarafdari|language=fa|date=2 November 2021|access-date=2 July 2022|first=Farzam|last=Mohamadaliha}} Six days later, he made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Fajr Sepasi.{{cite web|url=https://www.khabarvarzeshi.com/news/335135/ببینید-فجرسپاسی-۱-استقلال-۱-سیروان-کام-استقلال-را-تلخ-کرد|title=فجرسپاسی ۱ - استقلال ۱/ سیروان کام استقلال را تلخ کرد|publisher=Khabar Varzeshi|language=fa|date=5 November 2021|access-date=2 July 2022}} On 24 December, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 victory against Shahr Khodro.{{cite web|url=https://www.iranintl.com/202112249955|title=پدیده ۰ - ۳ استقلال؛ پیروزی پرگل استقلال مقابل پدیده|publisher=Iran International|language=fa|date=24 December 2021|access-date=2 July 2022}} On 17 March 2022, he scored 2 minutes after coming on as a substitute in a match against Persepolis, becoming Esteghlal's first non-Iranian player to score in the Tehran Derby.{{cite web|url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1815807/شیرجه-رودی-ژستد-به-استخر-طلا|script-title=fa:شیرجه رودی ژستد به استخر طلا|trans-title=Rudy Gestede's dive to the pool of gold|publisher=Varzesh 3|language=fa|date=17 March 2022|access-date=27 March 2022}} He left the club after his first season following his contract termination by mutual consent.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarafdari.com/node/2134743|script-title=fa:با توافقی‌ دو طرفه، رودی ژستد از استقلال جدا شد / رسمی|trans-title=Shirt Official, Rudy Gestede left the club after terminating his contract by mutual consent.|publisher=Tarafdari|language=fa|date=1 June 2022|access-date=2 July 2022|first=Ehsan|last=Validoost}}

He announced his retirement a year later.{{cite web|title=Former: Rudy Gestede (ex-FC Metz) officially announces his retirement from sport!|url=https://lookcharms.com/former-rudy-gestede-ex-fc-metz-officially-announces-his-retirement-from-sport/|website=Lookcharms|date=1 June 2023|access-date=23 July 2023}}

International career

Gestede played for the France under-19 national team between 2006 and 2008. He was called up for the Benin national team in February 2013 for the World Cup qualifiers due to a parent being of Beninois origin; he was also eligible for the United States through a grandparent.{{cite web|title=Cardiff City Star Rudy Gestede Called Up by Benin|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-star-rudy-gestede-2494292|website=Wales Online|access-date=3 August 2015|date=15 March 2013|first=Terry|last=Phillips}}

After three years, he was recalled to the national team in August 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49495510|title=Benin: Striker Rudy Gestede back in squad after three-year absence|date=28 August 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=29 August 2019|first=Oluwashina|last=Okeleji}}

Post-playing career

On 14 June 2024, Gestede returned to former club Blackburn Rovers as Head of Football Operations.{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/june/14/rovers-confirm-key-appointments/|title=Rovers confirm key appointments|website=www.rovers.co.uk|date=14 June 2024|accessdate=18 June 2024}}

Personal life

In the summer of 2012, Rudy's wife, Hawa, gave birth to their first child, Elijah Gestede.{{cite news |title=Cardiff City star Rudy Gestede promises players will not forget club's history after re-branding |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-star-rudy-gestede-2026869 |work=South Wales Echo |date=4 June 2012 |access-date=4 June 2012}} He is a Muslim.{{cite web|title='Getting Personal' with Rudy Gestede|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2014/october/getting-personal-with-rudy-gestede/|website=Blackburn Rovers|access-date=6 October 2014}}

Career statistics

File:Rudy Gestede.jpg

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Coupe de France, FA Cup, Iranian Hazfi Cup}} !colspan="2"\|League cup{{efn\|Includes Coupe de la Ligue, Football League Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Metz \|2010–11{{cite web\|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/-rudy-gestede/37908/\|title=Benin – R. Gestede – Profile with news, career statistics and history\|website=Soccerway}} \|Ligue 2 \|11	3	2	1	1	1	14	5
rowspan="4"\|Cardiff City \|2011–12{{Soccerbase season\|60631\|2011\|access-date=13 June 2014}} \|Championship \|25	2	1	0	5	1	31	3
2012–13{{Soccerbase season\|60631\|2012\|access-date=13 June 2014}} \|Championship	27	5	0	0	0	0	27	5
2013–14{{Soccerbase season\|60631\|2013\|access-date=13 June 2014}} \|Premier League \|3	0	0	0	2	1	5	1
colspan="2"\|Total !55	7	1	0	7	2	63	9
Blackburn Rovers (loan) \|2013–14 \|Championship \|6	1	1	0	0	0	7	1
rowspan="3"\|Blackburn Rovers \|2013–14 \|Championship	21	12	1	0	0	0	22	12
2014–15{{Soccerbase season\|60631\|2014\|access-date=9 August 2014}} \|Championship	39	20	4	2	1	0	44	22
colspan="2"\|Total !66	33	6	2	1	0	73	35
rowspan="3"\|Aston Villa \|2015–16 \|Premier League \|32	5	2	0	2	1	36	6
2016–17 \|Championship \|18	4	2	0	2	0	22	4
colspan="2"\|Total !50	9	4	0	4	1	58	10
rowspan="5"\|Middlesbrough \|2016–17 \|Premier League \|16	1	3	1	0	0	19	2
2017–18 \|Championship \|19	3	1	1	1	0	21	4
2018–19 \|Championship \|4	0	2	0	2	0	8	0
2019–20 \|Championship \|19	2	2	0	1	0	22	2
colspan="2"\|Total !59	6	8	2	4	0	71	8
Melbourne Victory \|2020–21 \|A-League \|17	5	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	17	5
Esteghlal \|2021–22 \|Persian Gulf Pro League \|23	3	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	25	3
colspan="3"\|Career total !269	64	23	5	17	4	292	73

Honours

Cardiff City

Football League Championship: 2012–13
Football League Cup runner-up: 2011–12{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/cardiff-city-vs-liverpool/teams/255645 |title=Starting Lineups - Cardiff vs Liverpool |website=Sky Sports |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=25 March 2024}}

Esteghlal

Persian Gulf Pro League: 2021–22

Individual

Football League Championship Player of the Month: April 2014{{cite news |title=Burnley's Sean Dyche and Blackburn's Rudy Gestede claim April awards |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/9291692/football-league-burnleys-sean-dyche-and-blackburns-rudy-gestede-claim-april-awards |work=Sky Sports |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=7 November 2014}}