Footballers who showcased a talent for singing in X-Factor-style initiations, like Fabinho, Alisson and Buffon

LOOK away now, Simon Cowell.

When footballers across Europe join up with new clubs, the traditional a cappella initiation of performing in front of their team-mates happens, and Cowell would certainly be poker-faced with these performers.

6

6

The Jose Mourinho of the music world would not be impressed by the standards being set as players take to their stage of a plastic chair and sing their hearts out.

From Petr Cech dropping the f-bomb to John Bostock's moonwalking, there has certainly been some eye-catching performances.

New Arsenal signing Oleksandr Zinchenko became the latest this week as he sung "Zinky winky" in reference to Teletubbies character Tinky Winky.

Here SunSport takes a look at the best and worst performances of the past:

Gianluigi Buffon

After 17 years at Juventus, it was a long time since Buffon had to meet a new set of team-mates.

But when the 44-year-old goalkeeper signed for PSG, he had to jump on a chair in front of the whole squad in 2018.

He donned a pair of shades, and provided a fist-pumping, hair-flicking performance. It left his team-mates in fits of laughter and cheers.

LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS

NEW BOY

Man City transfer blow as star midfielder says he 'feels at home' where he is

PLEASE SPEND

Guardiola reveals City players are BEGGING club to buy new stars in January

RED ALERT

Man Utd legend 'not sure' Ruben Amorim is right man to develop young talent

FESTIVE FIXTURES

Haaland misses pen, Man Utd & Chelsea feature in later kick-offs

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

Petr Cech

Having joined Arsenal in 2015, there was some uncertainty about why Cech had the microphone - but it was a memorable moment in his career.

As the enthusiastic drummer waltzed around the tables rapping, he dropped an F-bomb that sent all his teammates into cheers.

Virgil van Dijk

As the costliest defender in the world, you'd expect Van Dijk to be multi-talented.

He certainly left his team-mates entertained with his smooth rendition of the 1998 R&B hit 'So Into You' by Tamia.

Outside, under the stars, the former Dutch defender brought some romance to proceedings.

John Bostock

He was known for his potential at Spurs rather than his dance moves.

But when 30-year-old Bostock moved on to Toulouse in 2018, the midfielder provided the pick of the dance moves

Performing a rather mediocre version of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' he moonwalked around the middle of his team-mates.

Demetri Mitchell

With a water bottle for a microphone, former Manchester United youngster Demetri Mitchell made his name known on the club's pre-season tour.

He performed a smooth version of Drake's 'Hold On, We're Going Home' which not only received a standing ovation, he was also thrown in the air by team-mates.

It can't have impressed Mourinho too much though as the 25-year-old was then loaned out to Hearts. He later joined Blackpool and now stars for Hibernian.

Alisson Becker

It's a real crowd-pleaser. Alisson, the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, stood up in front of team-mates and performed Oasis' 'Don't Look Back in Anger'.

It may have come as a bit of a surprise to the Liverpool stalwarts though as it tends to be heard more commonly at the Etihad Stadium.

6

Fabinho

A nervous-looking Fabinho was one of many new signings at Anfield in 2018 to get up and perform.

The Brazilian tentatively got to his feet but was helped on by a supportive crowd of Reds who cheered him on.

Naby Keita

Liverpool had to wait so long for Keita to join, but it was worth it.

The former RB Leipzig midfielder had the tunes and the moves to get his team-mates involved.

Even former team-mate Daniel Sturridge got on his feet to join in with Keita's silky moves.

6

George Marsh

After being promoted to Tottenham's first-team, Marsh's first big performance was stood on a table rather than a pitch.

Another with water bottle in hand, another bashing out a bit of Oasis, the 23-year-old holding midfielder gave a rather shouty version of 'Wonderwall' in 2018.

Marsh is now at AFC Wimbledon, we just hope he didn't look back in anger this time.

6

TJ Eyoma

An initiation classic, 22-year-old defender TJ Eyoma was joined by the rest of the Spurs squad for a version of Stand By Me.

Tottenham's website described him as a "reliable figure" in defence and this was a solid performance by the youngster.

Lincoln turned his loan spell into a permanent move last year.

6

Sam Jones

If you needed a Britain's Got Talent moment as the golden buzzer is plunged down and confetti falls from the sky, this is it.

Sam Jones' move from Grimsby Town to Shrewsbury may not have caught that many headlines in 2018.

But his powerful version of Bob Marley's 'Is This Love' drew more than 300,000 hits on YouTube and many more headlines.