Former Premier League and World Cup star, 35, joins non-league club in bizarre transfer
A FORMER Premier League and World Cup star has bizarrely joined a non-league club.
Jefferson Montero made his name with spells at Swansea City, West Brom and Birmingham City.
The winger was also a star for Ecuador and earned 64 caps and scored 10 goals for his nation.
He has now signed for FC St Helens in the Premier Division of the North West Counties League – England‘s ninth-tier in the football pyramid.
The team are currently 8th in the league and are four points off the playoff places.
Montero, 35, joins the club as part of his collaboration with SMS Pro Soccer.
This is a representation establishment that specialises in scouting, tours and trials.
Club sporting director Mark Hayes has insisted that the signing of Montero is not a “publicity stunt”.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to bring Jefferson to FC St Helens.
“With SMS Pro Soccer, I work with Antonio Valencia’s academy in Ecuador, AV25, and Jefferson has been playing there.
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“There are some incredible talents at AV25, they have had three promotions in three years.
“However, we have been lucky enough to sign the one who is ex- Premier League and LaLiga.
“This isn’t a publicity stunt.
“Jefferson is still hungry, having only recently stopped playing, and is exactly what FC St Helens needs for the second half of the season push.”
Montero joined Swansea City in 2014 and went on to make 78 Premier League appearances for the club.
He left English football in 2020 as he moved to Mexican outfit Queretaro.
The winger featured in the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil as he made his one appearance in the 2-1 group stage defeat to Switzeland.
Fans have been left stunned by the shock signing as they reacted on social media.
One posted: “I love Non-League Football.”
A second wrote: “Definitely the most random transfer of all time.”
A third commented: “Sorry what?”
A fourth said: “Belter.”
Another added: “What on earth.”
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