Evann Guessand, the French-born striker who plays for the Ivory Coast national team, has made football history by becoming the first player to win two different European competitions with two clubs in the same season.
The 24-year-old is officially the winner of the Europa League with Aston Villa and the Conference League with Crystal Palace.
This unusual achievement came thanks to the winter transfer window. In January, Aston Villa sent Guessandi on loan to Crystal Palace, and the contract included an option to buy at the end of the season.
Before moving to London, Guessand played seven games in the Europa League for Aston Villa, scoring two goals. His former teammates later won the competition, beating Freiburg in the final.
After joining Crystal Palace, he played in six Conference League matches and scored one goal. In the final, in which Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano, Guessand came on as a second-half substitute.
The rules that enabled historic success
This unique opportunity is made possible by UEFA’s medal rules. The winning clubs in the Europa League and Conference League receive 50 gold medals each, which are then awarded to players and staff.
Unlike, for example, the Premier League, where a player must play at least five matches to qualify for a medal, UEFA’s rules are more flexible.
This allowed Guessand to win a medal with Aston Villa for his contribution in the first half of the season, and then with Palace as an active participant in their triumph.
