Chris Smalling is searching for a new club after returning to his homeland following his departure from Saudi Arabia as a free agent
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling is looking to join a new club (Image: Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is looking for his sixth club after leaving Saudi side Al-Fayha Club and becoming a free agent. He is now back in the UK, aiming to join a new team that is 'the right kind of project.'
The 36‑year‑old has left the Saudi Pro League outfit after two years, during which he made 67 appearances and insists he still has plenty to offer. Speaking on talkSPORT with Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour, Smalling discussed his future and revealed that clubs from a wide range of leagues have already made their pitch to sign him.
"At the minute, there's conversations ongoing," he said. "I've had some offers, so I feel like I'm in a good position.
"But at my stage in my career, it's now about being patient, making sure it's the right kind of project that fits everything in terms of my role in the team and what I can bring on and off the pitch.
"I'm in a nice position and just kind of seeing where that lies over the next couple of weeks."
Despite racking up more than 580 appearances in his career, Smalling previously admitted football was never even on his radar growing up. "It wasn’t even plan D," the defender told the BBC.
"I had everything set out. I already had my A levels, and I was looking at other non-league clubs near Leicester because I still wanted to play."
Everything changed when Fulham offered him a contract after Roy Hodgson watched him in a practice match. "It wasn't even a full week," he added. "I didn't have any time to get my head around it. I was just in total shock."
Sir Alex Ferguson then persuaded him to join Manchester United in 2011. "He told me I would get a chance and he believed in me," the defender said, recalling their first meeting.
"To be able to share the dressing room and the pitch and have conversations with him is just incredible."
United signed Smalling for £7.2million from Fulham and went on to play over 300 matches for the club, winning two Premier League titles and three other major trophies there over the course of a decade.