Jordon Ibe had recently penned a deal to play in non-league but has quit and decided to head to Bulgaria, as the ex-Liverpool winger joins the 11th club of his career
CARTAGENA, SPAIN - JULY 15: Jordon Ibe of Bournemouth during a pre-season training session at La Manga Club on July 15, 2019 in Cartagena, Spain. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Jordan Ibe has quit England's non-league and headed to Bulgaria to play his football(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Ex-Liverpool star Jordon Ibe has decided to end his stint in the eighth-tier of English football after just 17 days - instead turning his attention to a relegation battle in Bulgaria with Lokomotiv Sofia.
Ibe, who left Anfield and moved to Bournemouth for £15million in 2016, was on the books of Sittingbourne FC. He joined them less than three weeks ago, but now the 29-year-old has headed for another new challenge.
Lokomotiv are the 11th different club of Ibe's career - and the third this year. He jumps straight into a relegation scrap with his new side sat 11th in the First League - but are only three points clear of the team sat second-bottom of the table.
Ibe's new side average less than 1,000 fans per game - which is a stark contrast for a man who once played at Anfield. The winger made his debut for Liverpool as a teenager and began pushing for a regular spot for the Reds when Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp were on the scene.
He has penned a two-year deal with Lokomotiv and will be hoping to make an impact after struggling to attract any clubs in his homeland over the past few seasons.
A club statement said: "After a few difficult seasons, Jordan is ready to revive his career, and we all believe that this will happen at Lokomotiv. The management of Lokomotiv wishes Jordon Ibe much health, happiness and success with the red and black jersey."
Ibe confessed in 2021 that he had suffered with depression for four years - which had been a troubled period. He has only played 11 minutes of professional football - for Derby County and Ebbsfleet United - since his contract expired at Bournemouth in 2020.
Jordan Ibe was tipped for big things when he came through at Liverpool
Jordan Ibe was tipped for big things when he came through at Liverpool
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Back in 2015, Ibe scored his first Liverpool goal to seal a 1-0 Europa League win over Rubin Kazan. Klopp made a beeline for his then young winger, hugging him and talking up the sizeable future he had ahead of him.
The German said: "He is a good lad and a big talent, a very skilled player. He has a really good base and he feels good at this moment but he has to work on things and he has a lot to learn. If he is prepared for this then everything will be good."
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