Ex-Newcastle striker Nile Ranger has signed for eighth-tier side Wellingborough Town.
Ranger left Kettering Town earlier this week despite being the Southern League Premier Central's joint-top goalscorer.
Ranger had to play with an ankle tag at one point in his career
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Ranger had to play with an ankle tag at one point in his careerCredit: Getty
The Poppies claimed his exit was agreed by mutual consent but the striker appeared to challenge this on social media.
He re-shared posts from fans which said there was 'nothing mutual' about his exit and there were 'a lot of questions to be answered'.
But just days later, the 34-year-old has found a new home, just 7.5 miles down the road at Wellingborough Town.
Announcing the news on Friday, the Doughboys said: "Everyone at the club is excited to have Nile on-board and are looking forward to utilising his experience and pedigree. Welcome Nile!"
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What happened to Ranger?
Ranger was once considered an exciting prospect at Newcastle after breaking through the club's youth system in 2009 and earning a £10,000-a-week contract.
However, his career became a story of bad behaviour and constant run-ins with the law.
Ranger was sent to a Young Offenders Institute in 2007 for his role in an armed robbery and was jailed in 2017 for fraud.
In the ten years in between, the Englishman was arrested multiple times and had disciplinary problems at EFL clubs including Swindon Town, Blackpool and Southend.
After going two years without a club between 2022 and 2024, Ranger found success at Kettering Town, scoring 18 goals in all competitions and becoming a hero for netting the winner in an FA Cup tie against Northampton Town.
Upon his exit, owner George Akhtar added: “I want to personally thank Nile Ranger for the memories he has left the Kettering Town faithful.
“His commitment to the Club, both on and off the pitch, is a testament to him. You will be missed.”
Kettering also announced the release of striker Jamar Loza this week after he was jailed for 28 months for 'sourcing and supplying' nitrous oxide by the pallet before his association with the club.
Ranger knows he 'messed up'
Ranger has admitted to regrets over his ill-fated career in multiple interviews over the past few years.
The Londoner, who also battled against a gambling addiction, recently claimed he has the same amount of talent as Erling Haaland, but without the dedication.
Speaking in 2023, Ranger said: "I didn’t take in the advice. I should be minimum Championship right now. I shouldn’t be having problems but I didn’t listen.
“If I added nutrition to my game and behaviour, I’m Haaland. But I didn’t want to listen. I thought I knew it all."
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In a separate interview in 2024, the former Magpies star said: "I had more money than sense. There was no discipline from me. I was living life in the fast lane.
“Looking back, I’ve realised the many silly decisions that led to the situations I found myself in. I messed up.”