With the security of a new three-year contract, Toronto Raptors fans can now safely invest in Serge Ibaka‘s No. 9 jersey.
They won’t be the first to do so, though.
Manchester United star Paul Pogba posted a photo on Instagram, proudly wearing Ibaka’s jersey.
Ibaka looks quite comfortable wearing the footballer’s United kit as well, but before United fans get too excited about Ibaka’s apparent allegiance with the Reds, they need to know his history.
In July 2013, Ibaka paid a visit to Ethiad Stadium, where he visited Manchester City’s facility and was given his own custom jersey.
“My favourite City player is Yaya Toure,” he said to the Daily Star. “He played for Barcelona while I was out there and he’s a fantastic player. It’s always good to see him do well.”
The relationship with City did not end there.
A few months later, Ibaka, then of the Oklahoma City Thunder, played a pre-season game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Manchester. That’s when the six-foot-10 forward’s fandom resurfaced. It prompted a rivalry with his teammate Thabo Sefolosha, a proud United fan.
“When I was in Manchester over the summer I got to have a look around Manchester City’s stadium and the facilities are incredible. I’ve been keeping an eye out for them ever since,” Ibaka told the Daily Mail.
“It was great to see them beat Manchester United 4-1. What a win!”
While a City fan wearing a United jersey might be cringeworthy to hardcore fans, it’s hard to fault the guy for swapping jerseys with one of the game’s brightest young stars.
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