EURO 2016 Profile: Wales match-winner, Hal Robson-Kanu

It has been “Bienvenue en France” for 24 nations this week as, after months of discussion about stadia, favourites and golden boot winners, the European Championships of 2016 got underway.

But why the trip to a major tournament may seem inevitable for some, it is a completely different experience for others. It has been 58 years since Wales competed in a major tournament; until Euro 2016. After the heart breaking news of the death of their national manager, the Dragon has been transformed. Gary Speed would have been watching with glee the victory over Slovakia on Saturday.

And while you may expect the likes of two-time Champions League winner Gareth Bale or Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey to grab the headlines, the back pages of Sunday’s papers focused on an unlikely hero: Hal Robson-Kanu.

Shoot takes a look at the English-born Wales international after he scored one of the most famous goals in the history of Welsh Football.

Where did it all start for Robson-Kanu?

Despite his allegiances in national football being committed to the Welsh, Robson-Kanu was actually born in Acton, England. It was a surreal childhood with his father being a vicar at St Mary Abbot’s Church in Kensington, meaning he grew up going to church with Princess Diana and the Queen’s sister; as well as also playing with the daughters of Rolling Stones singer, Mick Jagger.

But while his personal life was quite an unreal experience, his footballing ability was clear. At the age of 10 he was scouted as a school-boy for Arsenal, just a year after their first Premier League triumph. However, in 2004, Robson-Kanu received some bad news; he was released by the Gunners because of him being too weak and slow.

What happened next?

At the age of 15, and with his GCSE’s approaching, you could forgive Robson-Kanu giving up with the dream of being a professional footballer and wanting to progress in other areas of life. That was not the case, however.

After talking to then academy coach Brendan Rodgers, a new ambition had started when he signed for Reading in 2004. And after graduating in 2007 from the academy, he signed a two-year deal with the Royals.

But with Steve Coppell at the helm and with Premier League survival on the agenda, you could understand that an 18-year-old would not be part of the former Palace manager’s plans at the Madejski. So maybe it was a time for a loan move?

Hal Robson-Kanu was the hero for Wales in their first ever match at a European Championships. – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

How did he break into the first team?

Despite making the bench for an FA Cup third round tie against Tottenham in January 2008, it was clear that the youngster needed regular first team football. That came at the unfamiliar surroundings of Roots Hall when he signed for Steve Tilson’s Southend side in January of that year.

Here he made an instant impact at League One level as The Shrimpers finished sixth in League One. It was a return to Roots Hall at the start of the following season but, by January 2009, it was clear that he still had not sent out a message to the managerial staff at the Madejski.

Cue a move away from Berkshire again. This time to Wiltshire where he signed for Swindon Town, also in League One. Under the guidance of former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Wilson, Swindon narrowly avoided relegation thanks to Robson-Kanu’s four goals.

Now surely he sent out a message.

How has he performed in a Royals Shirt?

After Robson-Kanu’s former academy coach Brendan Rogers took the managerial job at Reading for the start of the 2009-10 season, it was clear that the future Wales international would make an impact for the first team.

Here he made his competitive debut in a blue and white shirt in a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest and would steadily become a fans’ favourite for the Berkshire club.

However, two years later, and following the sale of star striker Shane Long, Robson-Kanu became the main man for the Royals up front as he scored numerous goals to gain promotion back to the Premier League in 2012.

But, following relegation in a fixture against QPR in 2013, it was back to the Championship for Robson-Kanu. Here his progress has been steady and a key figure as the Royals aim for a return back to top flight football.

What about his international career?

Despite being born in England, Robson-Kanu qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, whose family are from Caerphilly. Even with featuring for the English at Under-19s and U-20 level, the forward has featured in the famous red shirt since 2010 for the Under-21s. But, five days later he made his debut for the senior squad in a 2-0 defeat to Croatia, when he replaced Robert Earnshaw at half time. Since that night, he has gone on to receive 30 caps for Wales and was instrumental in their qualification for the 2016 European Championship s- their first major tournament in 58 years.

Super Stat: Robson-Kanu’s winner against Slovakia was his first goal in a Wales shirt since October 2014.