BLINK and you’d have missed the Rangers career of Ludwig Norbert.
It’s a pretty similar story for his early days at Spurs too.
Infact, despite making his debut in an under-21 Old Firm derby, he failed to make a single senior appearance for either team outside of France.
His arrival, on a short term deal from Lorient, was announced as a bolt-on to news Alex McLeish was interested in rising star Samuel Eto’o – then 21 and at Real Mallorca.
That was 2003.
It goes without saying, but a lot has changed since then.
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Alex McLeish never got the £6m-rated Eto’o who went on to worldwide fame with Barcelona the following year.
The unheralded 18-year-old right midfielder who pitched up at Ibrox is now a 40-year-old property developer, and he’s kicked off his biggest project yet.
He’s renovating the imposing Post Office building in the town where he used to play – using money he saved up from his playing career and spells at Spurs, Ibrox and Angers.
After ploughing the cash into four high-end luxury homes he’s built his business from the ground up – while maintaining an interest in the youth football scene.
Norbert came through the ranks at Tottenham – where he was a youth. Brother Guillharme was across north London at Arsenal.
Neither made an appearance for either side, though the latter did play at Lorient when they were both on the books.
He’s now in charge of Racing Club de France. Ex-Ger Ludwig is in charge of the €15m renovation of an ‘imposing building in the centre of town’.
It’s his biggest project yet and says costs have spiralled.
He told Ouest-France it’s cost “around 15 million euros, including three for land.
“It’s a project I’ve been working on for four years, during which time the cost of construction has increased by 20%.
“It is certainly the biggest, and among the most beautiful, yes.
“The first was four homes in Larmor-Plage built with my football savings.
“Today, I have been working in real estate development for 15 years. Favouring operations on a human scale, I have been able to build a network, be patient, prudent and responsive.”
Norbert has remained in touch with football though – at US Goelands where there’s a partnership with FC Lorient.
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Meanwhile he’s continuing to grow ‘Horizon Grand Large’ including builds at Lamor Beach and the city of Sceaux just outside Paris.
It’s an impressive and permanent legacy built in his name – one that eclipses his football career even with big names like Rangers and Spurs on his CV.
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