RCD Espanyol 2000/01 Home #6 (Small)

Óscar García spent much of the 1990s at FC Barcelona, coming through La Masia and breaking into Johan Cruyff's first team. He was part of the famous Dream Team era, winning four consecutive La Liga titles between 1991 and 1994.

After leaving Barcelona for Valencia in 1999, Óscar returned to the city just one year later, but this time to play for Espanyol.

It was an interesting moment to join the club. Espanyol had just won the 2000 Copa del Rey, beating Atlético Madrid 2-1 in the final and were celebrating their centenary year. Óscar also reunited with his younger brother Roger, who had joined Espanyol from Barcelona in 1999.

The 2000/01 season saw Espanyol return to the UEFA Cup under manager Paco Flores. They eliminated Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian side Grazer AK before facing Porto in the third round. A 2-0 defeat at Montjuïc, followed by a goalless draw in Portugal, ended their European campaign.

In La Liga, Espanyol finished ninth, with Raúl Tamudo leading the attack and Mauricio Pochettino providing experience in defence. For Óscar, it was the beginning of a four-year spell at Espanyol, adding an unusual chapter to a career so closely associated with Barcelona.

This shirt represents a former Barça player crossing the city's football divide during Espanyol's centenary celebrations and return to European competition.