Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has once again dominated transfer headlines after reports from Germany revealed that his proposed move to AC Milan collapsed due to concerns over his medical history.

According to BILD, the Bayer Leverkusen forward underwent four separate medical tests in Italy, but the Rossoneri ultimately decided to pull out of the deal. Boniface has since returned to Germany, leaving uncertainty over his next destination.

However, Boniface is not the first footballer to see a dream transfer stall at the medical stage. Over the years, several stars have failed medicals only to bounce back and enjoy illustrious careers at the highest level.

Here are 10 famous examples:

• Nwankwo Kanu (1996)

After winning Olympic gold with Nigeria in Atlanta, Kanu’s move from Ajax to Inter Milan nearly ended his career before it began. Doctors discovered a serious heart defect and advised him to retire.

Inter stood by him, and after surgery, Kanu returned stronger, going on to win the UEFA Cup, two Premier League titles with Arsenal, and enjoyed a remarkable 14-year career at the top.

• Ruud Van Nistelrooy (2000)

Manchester United agreed a record £18.5m deal with PSV Eindhoven in 2000, but Van Nistelrooy failed his medical due to a knee problem. To make matters worse, he tore his cruciate ligament days later.

Sir Alex Ferguson never gave up, and a year later United signed him for £19m. Van Nistelrooy repaid the faith with 150 goals in five seasons, becoming one of Europe’s deadliest strikers.

• John Hartson (2000)

A £6.5m move from Wimbledon to Rangers collapsed after a failed knee medical. Further opportunities at Spurs and Charlton also broke down.

Celtic eventually took the gamble in 2001, and Hartson became a club hero, scoring 109 goals for the Bhoys.

• Andrey Arshavin (2009)

Arshavin’s switch from Zenit to Arsenal nearly collapsed due to a heart-related issue spotted during his medical.

The deal was eventually pushed through, and Arshavin went on to score 31 goals, including his legendary four-goal masterclass at Anfield against Liverpool and the famous winner vs Barcelona in 2011.

• Radamel Falcao (2016)

Injury struggles haunted Falcao during his loan spell at Chelsea. When he returned to Monaco, he failed their medical, and a move to Atletico Madrid also fell through.

Yet, the Colombian striker rediscovered his form at Monaco, leading them to the 2017 Champions League semi-finals.

• Victor Valdés (2014)

Barcelona legend Valdés had agreed a pre-contract with Monaco, but a cruciate ligament injury saw the French club cancel the deal.

He was left without a club until Manchester United handed him a lifeline, signing him as backup to David de Gea.

• Gabriel Milito (2003)

Real Madrid targeted Milito in 2003 but cancelled the transfer after he failed his medical due to a knee injury.

He instead joined Zaragoza, where he impressed for four years before moving to Barcelona in 2007, winning multiple trophies.

• Loïc Rémy (2014)

Liverpool thought they had secured Rémy from QPR, but a heart problem saw him fail his medical.

Chelsea later signed him, and he went on to win the Premier League under Jose Mourinho.

• Nabil Fekir (2018)

Liverpool were on the verge of a €60m deal for Lyon captain Fekir, but concerns over a past knee injury ended negotiations.

Months later, Fekir lifted the 2018 World Cup with France and later became a key player at Real Betis in Spain.

• Demba Ba (2011)

Ba failed medicals at Stuttgart (2009) and Stoke City (2011). Despite this, he shone in the Premier League with West Ham, Newcastle, and Chelsea.

He will forever be remembered for scoring the goal after Steven Gerrard’s slip in Liverpool’s infamous 2014 title collapse.

What it means for Boniface?

Victor Boniface may have seen his dream move to AC Milan collapse, but history shows that failed medicals don’t always define a footballer’s future. From Kanu to Fekir, many stars have bounced back to enjoy glittering careers.

For Boniface, this could just be a minor setback before another big move.