Zoltan Gera was born on 22^nd April 1979 in Pecs, Hungary.  He featured for a number of Hungarian youth and professional sides before his career really took off in 2000, when he joined Ferencvarosi TC, making a total of 205 appearances and scoring 50 goals in his 4 years there.

His success was certainly enough to attract the attention of then Baggies boss Gary Megson, who brought the midfielder to the Hawthorns in July 2004.  Gera made his debut for the Baggies on 14^th August 2004, coming on as an 87^th minute substitute in Albion’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers.  Eleven days later on the 25^th August Gera made his first start for the Baggies, and scored his first goal for the club in the third minute.  That game with Spurs also ended in a 1-1 draw.

In a season dubbed by fans ‘the great escape’, Gera was the only one of his team to feature in all 38 of his sides league fixtures, notching up a total of six goals in the process.  His success in a surviving Baggies side earned him recognition from other Premiership sides, most notably local rivals Aston Villa and Boro, the latter of which who have kept a keen eye on the player since the Baggies drop back to the Championship two seasons ago.

Gera’s second Premiership season with the Baggies saw him plagued with niggling injuries, and in November of 2005 he was forced to go into hospital to receive an operation on a hernia, leaving him out for substantial parts of the rest of Albion’s season, which ultimately ended in relegation from England’s top flight.

With at least one, possibly two years left to run on his contract Gera committed himself to Albion as they prepared to kick off a Championship campaign in the 2006/07 season.  A season which ended with play off final defeat against Derby County at the new Wembley.

His recognition both at Albion and on the international stage earned him a role in a TV advert for Pepsi during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he starred alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, Raul and Ronaldinho. 

He has enjoyed a fruitful international career, making his debut for the Hungarian International side in a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland on 13^th February 2002.  In true Gera style his first international goal was actually one of a hatrick on the day against San Marino in October 2002.  In 2004 coinciding with his move to Albion, Gera was named Captain for Hungary, his first game in charge ending with a 3-1 victory over Latvia.

Gera was named Hungarian player of the year in 2002, 2004 and again in 2005.  His performance against Charlton Athletic on 15^th December 2007, where he scored two goals and assisted another earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.

In March 2008 Gera became a father for the first time, a daughter named Hanna.  And with only 2 months of his Albion contract left to run and a series of negotiations over contract talks having broken down, his future at the Hawthorns looks uncertain.  But supporters will certainly be hoping that the fans favourite will eventually put pen to paper, and extend his Albion stay beyond four years.  A scenario which looks more likely if Albion can secure promotion to the Premiership at the end of this season.

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