Ex-Premier League star with almost 200 appearances makes shock transfer to eighth-tier side

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Former Premier League star Jack Colback has dropped into the EIGHTH-TIER of English football after signing for Anstey Nomads. Colback, now 36, has been without a club since leaving Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the summer.

But after teasing his arrival on Thursday, Anstey Nomads announced his arrival simply by tweeting: “Welcome to Jack Colback,” alongside an image of him and the badges of his former clubs.

They also shared a compilation of his career highlights with the caption “our new signing”. Nomads, from Leicestershire, currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One, and sit fourth in the table. They are next back in action against Belper Town.

Colback is far from the only big name star to have signed for the club over the past few months. Former England and Leicester striker David Nugent signed as a player-coach earlier this year four years after his retirement.

His former teammate Martyn Waghorn also signed for the club in December, while ex-Leicester and Hibernian goalkeeper Conrad Logan manages the side.

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Their latest signing Colback started his professional career with Sunderland and spent six years at the Stadium of Light ahead of a controversial move to rivals Newcastle . He made 102 appearances at St James’ Park, helping the side win promotion from the Championship in 2017.

He then joined Nottingham Forest on an initial loan deal before making the move permanent. Colback joined QPR in 20023 and made 55 appearances for the London club, scoring on four occasions.

Explaining his exit, QPR CEO Christian Nourry said: “Jack formally left us following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season but there was always a possibility something could happen over the last two months.

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“While that hasn’t been the case, the club is grateful to Jack for his efforts over the past two seasons, where his ability and experience were hugely valued by the group. We thank him and wish him every success for whatever comes next.”

Anstey Nomads are not the only non-league side to have assembled an impressive squad of former Premier League stars. Wythenshawe Vets also boast a host of household names including Papiss Cisse, Danny Drinkwater, Joleon Lescott and Stephen Ireland.

Speaking about the move, former Premier League winner Drinkwater said: "We're not here to take advantage of any standard around, this is purely to get some enjoyment and fitness. Hopefully the opposition see the positives in it as well."

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