High-profile non-League Wythenshawe FC Vets have completed the signing of Manchester United legend Antonio Valencia to add to their already-impressive squad of former Premier League stars.
The club have gone viral in recent months after building a team with over 1,800 top flight appearances between them.
The likes of former Manchester City star Stephen Ireland, midfielder Danny Drinkwater – known for his stints at Chelsea and Leicester City – and Newcastle hero Papiss Cisse are just a handful of the big names who regularly take to the pitch for the ninth-tier side.
The Cheshire side hit the headlines in October and November after a series of high-scoring victories, including a thumping 11-0 win over South Liverpool in which Cisse scored six times.
The likes of Ravel Morrison, Danny Simpson, Phil Bardsley, Dale Stephens, Glenn Whelan, Joleon Lescott, Danny Webber, Maynor Figueroa, Emile Heskey and George Boyd have also turned out for the club.
And now they have added a former Red Devil to the mix, taking to social media to announce the signing of former Premier League winner Valencia.
The club posted on Instagram: ‘We’re proud to welcome Premier League winner, Antonio Valencia to Wythenshawe Vets.
‘A Manchester United legend. Title winner. Now wearing our badge. Welcome to the club, Antonio!’
Valencia, 40, signed for Manchester United in 2009 from Wigan and spent a decade at Old Trafford, eventually being made club captain.
Starting out as a flying winger before transitioning into a full back role, Valencia won two Premier League titles and the FA Cup at the club.
The former Ecuador international has turned out for the club before, featuring in midweek games this season, but the deal has now become permanent.
The club has over 30,000 followers on TikTok and are continuing to add ex-Premier League talent to their pool of players, with even Wayne Rooney said to be interested in turning out for the club.
Eight-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt, meanwhile, also admitted that he would be interested in becoming the latest sporting legend to join Wythenshawe.
When asked by talkSPORT if he would join the club, Bolt responded: ‘Listen, I’m ready. I’m ready. If I get into some shape, I’m ready to go.’
