New VfB Stuttgart signing Emiliano Insua brings with him a guarantee of 100 per cent commitment - © © imago
New VfB Stuttgart signing Emiliano Insua brings with him a guarantee of 100 per cent commitment - © © imago

Who is... Stuttgart's new Argentinian Emiliano Insua?

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Cologne - After a wry smile and a few moments of thought, new VfB Stuttgart signing Emiliano Insua summons up the words to describe his style of play. "First and foremost I'm a hard worker," he told vfb.tv in his first interview since becoming the latest in a long line of Argentinians to have plied their trade in the Bundesliga. "I really hope that the Stuttgart fans like what they see."

Indeed, if Insua's CV is anything to go by, the Swabians have some player on their hands. The 26-year-old has won a league title in Spain, an U-20 FIFA World Cup, and is a UEFA Champions League runner-up with three caps for his country. An impressive resume, and one bolstered by a wealth of experience; despite his age, the left-back has already played in six different countries.

- © gettyimages

'Total commitment'

- © imago

Despite over 50 appearances in England, instability at the Reds encouraged Insua to seek pastures new, and, after a loan spell at Turkish side Galatasaray AS in 2010/11, he joined Sporting Clube de Portugal. So impressive were his performances in Lisbon between 2011 and 2013 that Club Atletico de Madrid swooped to secure his signature. Although Insua found himself in and out of the first team under his compatriot Diego Simeone, he made 14 appearances as Los Colchoneros won the league and finished runners-up in the Champions League in 2013/14.

'Tough tackler'

Once, when asked by the Liverpool Echo to describe his homeland, Argentina, Insua took a moment to find the right words. "Both the players and the fans have that special feeling for [football]," he eventually responded. "An intensity, I suppose you'd call it, and that shows when we [Argentinian players] take to the field." It is a description which could apply perfectly to Stuttgart, both city and club. Insua need have no worries about VfB fans not liking what they see.