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Antonio Valencia latest ex-Premier League hero to join star-studded Sunday League side | Football
Wythenshawe Vets over-35s have added another former Premier League star to their ranks, with Antonio Valencia the latest to join the surprisingly high profile squad list.
The 40-year-old former Manchester United captain will be putting his boots on in the Cheshire Veterans Football League.
The Ecuadorian joins a number of recognisable faces in the team that has been battering local sides.
Former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, ex-Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey and Premier League champion with Leicester City, Danny Drinkwater, are all involved.
The once Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse, Joleon Lescott, Nedum Onuoha, Jefferson Montero, Maynor Figueroa, Oumar Niasse and George Boyd have all been playing as well.
Valencia has now joined the party, with Wythenshawe Vets posting a few of his highlights on Instagram, with the caption: ‘Here are some of our New Signing 2x Premier League winner @antoniovalencia2525 best bits.
‘Soon to be running out at the Avensure Community Stadium very soon.’
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Ireland was the instigator of the former international stars turning up to play for the previously low-key non league.
‘I came down in pre-season just because I love playing football,’ Ireland told The Guardian. ‘I love the fitness side of things. I invited some of the others and slowly but surely everyone wants to play.
‘It’s competitive and it’s going from strength to strength. I didn’t want it to be something where 15 of us ex-pros came in and took over, I want a good mix with the old vets lads.
‘It’s a nice humbling experience to interact with fans as well. It’s great to give back and the club have been so nice to me. We’re all local as well.’
The former Republic of Ireland international told Sky Sports: ‘We’re all retired and it’s nice to get together to continue to play football, keep fit and also from the mental health side of things.
‘A lot of lads can feel a bit stranded and alone when they come out of football. We all live in the same area so help each other.’
Unsurprisingly the former top professionals are too much to handle for the players they are now facing.
Wythenshawe Vets took on Reddish North End Veterans in the Manchester FA Veterans County Cup over the weekend, winning 18-0.
That books them a spot in the semi-finals, where they will take on AFC Monton Veterans next month.
