CHOPS WANTS A SLICE OF IT!
PREMIER League goal ace Michael Chopra has sensa- tionally come out of retirement at the age of 38 to sign for Northern League Division One outfit West Allotment Celtic.
Chopra, the former Newcastle United, Cardiff and Ipswich front man, last played for Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters before calling time on his career in 2016.
But now he has agreed to dust down his boots and turn out for Gary Somerville’s side as they prepare a promotion bid out of Step 6.
Chopra was handed his professional debut by then Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson against Everton in 2002 and featured against Barcelona in the Champions League one month later.
Loan spells at Watford, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley led to the first of two stints at Cardiff, separated by two seasons at Newcastle’s north-east rivals Sunderland.
Professionalism
A move to Ipswich Town followed in 2011 with Chopra netting 18 goals in 78 games for the Tractor Boys before seeing out his professional career in the UK with Blackpool and then Scottish club Alloa Athletic. He then headed out to the far east to play for the Blasters in the Indian Super League.
Celtic finished 11th out of 20 in the Division One table last season, representing something of a progression given they failed to win any of their first ten matches. In total, they won 14 of their 38 games on the way to racking up 52 points.
A club statement read: “West Allotment are delighted to announce the signing of Michael Chopra who started his career at Newcastle United and went on to play for a number of other clubs like Cardiff, Blackpool and Ipswich to name but a few.
“During his professional career, he made 389 appearances and scored 108 goals.
“He also represented England from U16 to U20 level. The management team at West Allotment are delighted to sign such an experienced player who can only help the team improve their professionalism and, of course, they hope to see quite a few goals along the way.”
Celtic boss Somerville was delighted to get his man, adding: “He will bring great experience and professionalism to the team and lads as well as goals.”