World Cup hero signed Erling Haaland-style 10-year contract but ended up snubbed by Bolton

Denilson's 1998 transfer to Real Betis was hailed following a brilliant World Cup for the Brazilian, but his tenure didn't quite go as planned.

After signing a sizeable £21.5million move on a decade-long contract, it seemed Betis had snagged themselves a superstar. Denilson himself recalled the "warmth and understanding" he was shown on his arrival in Spain, yet, despite the initial enthusiasm, hopes quickly faded.

Just two years into his stint, the club faced relegation - a massive blow considering Denilson's mere five goals at the time. Betis' drop to the second tier saw Denilson limited to seven league appearances in the 2000/01 season, which thankfully ended with an immediate return to La Liga.

Upon their promotion, Denilson worked his way back into the starting line-up but continued to struggle in front of goal. He scored three times in 2001/02, managed only two goals in each of the next two seasons, and failed to score in the 2004/05 campaign at all. His underwhelming tenure was cut short when Betis decided to part ways seven years after signing him on that monster contract.

He had spells with Bordeaux, Al-Nassr, FC Dallas and Palmeiras before Bolton Wanderers arranged a trial for him at 30, but the Greater Manchester club ultimately decided not to take up his services. Gary Megson, the manager at the time, said about the Brazilian: "He is a fantastic person and didn't come here as a big-time Charlie. He mixed in with everyone else, and if anyone rang me up about giving him a reference, he'd get nothing but positives," suggesting that his attitude or professionalism was not an issue, reports the Mirror.

Instead, Denilson enjoyed brief stints with Itumbiara, Hai Phong, and Kavala before retiring in 2010 after his