Manchester United FC signed Uruguayan international striker Diego Forlán on a four-year contract from CA Independiente for 12m in January 2002 from under the noses of Middlesbrough FC. Forlán's footballing career was somewhat predestined: his father played for Uruguay in the 1974 FIFA World Cup and his grandfather and two of his uncles each starred for Independiente. Like his father, Forlán started his career at CA Penarol before, after a brief spell at Danubio FC, leaving for Argentina. In 1999/00, his first full season with Independiente, he scored six goals as a winger but a switch to attack the following term saw him score 20 times. Goals were not so easy to come by in England though, Forlán failing to register as the 2001/02 season drew to a close, although he did hit the bar in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. However, his international form was more productive - he scored on his senior debut against Saudi Arabia in March 2002, and struck a spectacular goal in the 3-3 FIFA World Cup finals draw with Senegal.