Former England striker David Nugent has come out of a four-year retirement after taking up a player-coach role in the eighth division of English football.
The 40-year-old, who earned one cap for the Three Lions, called time on his career in 2021 following a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers from Preston North End.
However, the forward has now made an unexpected comeback to feature in non-league football with Anstey Nomads.
The Nomads are currently positioned 11th in the Northern Premier League – Midlands Division with 17 points.
On Friday, less than a day before their weekend clash, Tony Blanchard’s team confirmed Nugent’s arrival as their new player-coach.
He is immediately eligible to play for the Nomads in their home encounter against Loughborough Students at Davidsons Homes Park.
The club wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “David Nugent joins Anstey Nomads!
“The former Leicester City and England international joins as a player-coach and is available for Saturday’s fixture vs Loughborough Students!
“Join us tomorrow [for] a 3:00PM KO at Cropston Road! Welcome Nugent #UpTheNomads #LCFC”.
Nugent’s first appearance for his new side won’t mark his debut at their ground — he previously featured there in May.
The ex-Leicester City favourite played in an all-stars match for the Foxes, which ended in a 4-3 penalty shootout win over their local rivals.
He lined up alongside Marc Albrighton, Paul Konchesky, Danny Simpson, and current Leyton Orient manager, Richie Wellens.
Leicester came from three goals down to force a 3-3 draw before sealing victory on penalties.
A shootout was also the Nomads’ downfall earlier in the FA Trophy, as they were eliminated by Basford United in the opening round.
Nugent will now aim to spearhead their promotion chase in the eighth tier, with Anstey sitting just three points off the playoff zone.
The veteran forward famously played a crucial role in Leicester’s 2014 promotion campaign and their subsequent Premier League survival.
Since stepping away from professional football, Nugent has balanced occasional punditry covering his old club with spending more time with his family.