Newcastle United's Michael Ndiweni celebrates with manager Eddie Howe
From the Champions League to non-league to a brand new, slightly confusing football tournament that is intriguing football fans across the country. Safe to say it's been a wild ride for former Newcastle United forward Michael Ndiweni in recent years.
The 21-year-old was famously on the bench for the Magpies' European clash with Paris Saint-Germain before his release on Tyneside. Since departing Newcastle, Ndiweni has played for Ashington and Newcastle Blue Star FC after dropping down the football pyramid.
Now, the youngster is showcasing his talent in the 'Baller League', which kicked off earlier this week. The hugely popular six-a-side format has made its way across to the UK after initially starting in Germany courtesy of former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski.
12 teams are going against each other for the maiden UK title, with each side managed by some of football's most iconic names. Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, Micah Richards and John Terry are all taking charge of teams, along with young influencers such as KSI and Angry Ginge.
FC Rule The World (RTW), Ndiweni's side, lost against MVPs United on Monday evening as the tournament kicked off. The former Toon striker scored twice, and looked sharp, as he copied Alexander Isak's famous celebration after finding the net.
One of his team-mates, Josh Harrop, is a former Manchester United star who made one senior appearance for the Red Devils under Jose Mourinho. RTW is managed by internet personality Clint 419, while former Newcastle star Ciaran Clark is featuring for Trebol FC in the six-a-side tournament.
Newcastle Blue Star FC, who play in the Northern League Division One, the ninth tier of the English football league system, wished Ndiweni luck as he made his first appearance in the competition. Overall, there were over 20,000 applicants to take part in the series as it arrived in the UK.
Speaking after leaving Newcastle in 2024, Ndiweni wrote on Instagram: "After eight years, it's now time to say goodbye to my boyhood club. During these years I've experienced things that 12-year-old me could have only hoped for.
"I was once a kid in the stands that used to watch the team every other week, and always dreamed of being able to put on that black and white shirt. I have been able to represent this unbelievable club from the academy level to the first Team, and to make my Premier League debut at St James Park is something that I will never forget."