A former Manchester United academy graduate has ended his period as a free agent
Forgotten Manchester United academy graduate Josh Harrop has signed up for the new ‘Baller League’ as he looks to get back to playing after spending 10 months as a free agent.
The 29-year-old has been without a club since leaving Cheltenham Town at the end of last season. He joined Cheltenham as a free agent in January 2024 after spending six months without a club after leaving Northampton Town the previous summer.
Harrop scored on his United debut back in 2017 as the Red Devils, then managed by Jose Mourinho, recorded a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. Harrop also won the man of the match awarded for his performance. However, that proved to be his only game for United’s senior side as he left for Championship side Preston North End in the summer of 2017. His goal against Palace left him with the rare statistic of scoring in 100 per cent of games for United - even if it was only one goal and one game.
What is the Baller League?
Baller League is a six-a-side indoor football competition and involves well-known influencers, celebrities and football legends. There was 12 teams with 12 players in each squad. A half is 15 minutes but in the final three minutes of each half each side will just have three players and goalkeepers will not be allowed to use their hands. Long-range goals count as double during the final three minutes.
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Harrop has been drafted into FC Rules the World, managed by internet personality Clint 419. The likes of Luis Figo, John Terry, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and Gary Lineker are among the football legends managing some of the sides. Ian Wright, Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg are also involved. Stars from the women’s game, Alisha Lehmann and Chloe Kelly, are also among the managers. A number of the names mentioned are sharing management duties with certain teams.
Harrop on why he joined the Baller League
In an interview with the Guardian, Harrop was asked what made him sign up for the Baller League. He said: “It’s funny because I was speaking to a friend about it one day and the next I woke up to a message asking if I wanted to play.
“As I’m a free agent, this gives me something to focus on – it’s also football and that’s what I love doing. The concept’s quite different to what I’ve ever done. I’m going to go, have some fun and enjoy my football. I’m still gonna be competitive, because I’m a competitive person. Hopefully I get a good team and we can win.”
Harrop has struggled with a number of long-term injuries since leaving United back in 2017. In the past, he has sustained a cruciate ligament injury while he also struggled with a tendon problem which proved tough as a number of treatments to heal the injury simply did not work. He will now be given a chance to showcase his talent in a different arena, with the Baller League getting underway on March 24.
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