How is Bafetimbi Gomis getting on since his Swansea City exit?

The French international joined Swansea City on a free transfer in 2014, after leaving Lyon at the end of the 2013/14 Ligue 1 season. 

The phrase “you just had to be there” is often used to describe players who have had a legendary story throughout their career. Despite only scoring 17 goals in 71 appearances for the Welsh side, Bafetimbi Gomis is currently in the best form of his career with Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal.

During his four year stay with the Swans, the forward was limited to little game time and was sent out on loan to Marseille in the 2016 campaign. The forward would thrive in France by netting 21 goals in 34 appearances, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Montpellier, and was even awarded the captain’s armband for his efforts.

The next chapter of his career was at Galatasary, having left Swansea permanently in 2017. Although he was only in South Wales for two years, he made a big connection with the fans and earned a reputation for his presence and his iconic celebration.

Gomis’ physical style was ideally suited to the Süper Lig, with the Frenchman netting twice on for Galatasary in a 4-1 win over Kayserispor.

He finished his campaign with the Turkish giants on 29 goals from 33 games which included a solo goal away to Goztepe to clinch the league title and making him the league’s leading top scorer.

After the club and the player could not agree on a wage fee the following season, his time with Galatasary came to an end.

The 35-year-old signed for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on a two-year deal in 2018. The Club finished as runners up to rivals Al-Nassr in his first campaign. However, he still impressed by finishing joint-second in the scoring charts behind Abderazak Hamdallah.

In the following campaign, Gomis was a crucial part of the Al-Hilal squad. He finished as the AFC Champions League top scorer in 2019 with 11 goals as they went on to win the competition for the first time in 19 years.

Gomis was awarded with a tournament MVP for his role in delivering the title to Al-Hilal and became the first European player to be a top scorer in the competition. Not bad for a 35-year-old.

Despite the fluctuations in the results of the team this season, the French striker has scored 21 goals in 15 matches, with his side currently sitting second of the Saudi Professional league behind Al-Shabab, but only five points separate the top two with 11 games remaining of the season.

He is enjoying his best goal scoring years in the latter stages of his career and there’s seemingly no stopping for Swansea’ cult hero.