Ex Players - They used to play for us

[davieG]

https://football-italia.net/praet-serie-a-lecce-free-leicester-city/

 

Lecce are trying to bring Dennis Praet back to Serie A as a free agent after his contract with Leicester City ran down.

The Belgium international only turned 30 in May and Sampdoria sold him to the Foxes for €19.2m in the summer of 2019.

He already made a brief return to Italy during a loan experience at Torino in the 2021-22 campaign, but it was not made permanent.

Instead, he went back to Leicester City and his contract expired on June 30, making him available.

Lecce open to Praet Italian reunion
According to Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Lecce are the favourites to sign him this summer and bolster their midfield options.

He spent three years at Sampdoria, then with Torino too he amassed a total of 121 Serie A appearances, scoring six goals and contributing eight assists.

Praet also has 15 senior caps for Belgium, in which he found the net twice.

[davieG]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cxr2g7wdlngo

 

Retired Stearman knew 'writing was on the wall'
Richard Stearman general shot
IMAGE SOURCE,REX FEATURES
Image caption,
Richard Stearman totalled 574 career appearances - almost half of them (253) with Wolves

Ged Scott
BBC Sport England
Published
17 July 2024
Richard Stearman says he knew the "writing was on the wall" after announcing his decision to quit playing at 36.

Almost 20 years on from making his Leicester City debut in October 2004, he has now turned to full-time coaching with last season's National League promotion finalists Solihull Moors.

He was part of the Solihull squad who reached Wembley twice in a week at the end of 2023-24 - and was an unused substitute as the Moors lost to Gateshead in the FA Trophy final, just seven days after missing out on a place in the Football League - to Bromley in the National League promotion final.

Both games were decided on penalty shootouts - but former Leicester, Wolves, Ipswich Town, Fulham, Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town and Derby County defender Stearman admits he has been quite close to packing in the game for both the past two summers.

"As you get older as a player you know the writing is on the wall a bit," he told BBC Radio WM. "I've been close to retiring now for the last two seasons before deciding to play on.

National League opening day fixtures

"Coming into Moors last summer they said we'll give you the opportunity to play but also let you have a look at the coaching side as they knew that was the route I wanted to go down. It worked quite well and I ended up playing quite a bit. And I got a good taster for the other side."

In the end, having not played over the final two months of last season, he was only an unused substitute on the bench for the second of Moors' Wembley finals.

It was therefore perhaps an easy decision for both player and club when the time came to discuss the coming season with director of football Stephen Ward - his old Wolves team-mate - and manager Andy Whing.

"I sat down with the club and we decided it was best if I was helping on the coaching side and available to be in the office and on the training pitch on a day-to-day basis," said Stearman.

Richard Stearman celebrates with Dave Edwards
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Richard Stearman's Alan Shearer celebration after scoring in the first minute in an FA Cup tie against a reserve-strength Liverpool side at Anfield in January 2017 is a treasured memory for a lot of Wolves fans

"I've been lucky enough to represent some fantastic teams. Leicester City were the platform before I left to join Wolves, where I had a lot of my career highs.

"Scoring at Anfield, a couple of promotions and a couple player of the season awards, promotion with Sheffield United, playing for England through the age groups and even at the end with Solihull making two Wembley appearances in a week.

"It has been great but there comes a time when it has to be done. It was emotional when it finally hit me. But now, having seen the positive way the lads have reported for pre-season, it's all about looking forward."

Moors will start the new National League campaign at AFC Fylde on Saturday, 10 August.

[James_lcfc]

6 minutes ago, davieG said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cxr2g7wdlngo

 

Retired Stearman knew 'writing was on the wall'
Richard Stearman general shot
IMAGE SOURCE,REX FEATURES
Image caption,
Richard Stearman totalled 574 career appearances - almost half of them (253) with Wolves

Ged Scott
BBC Sport England
Published
17 July 2024
Richard Stearman says he knew the "writing was on the wall" after announcing his decision to quit playing at 36.

Almost 20 years on from making his Leicester City debut in October 2004, he has now turned to full-time coaching with last season's National League promotion finalists Solihull Moors.

He was part of the Solihull squad who reached Wembley twice in a week at the end of 2023-24 - and was an unused substitute as the Moors lost to Gateshead in the FA Trophy final, just seven days after missing out on a place in the Football League - to Bromley in the National League promotion final.

Both games were decided on penalty shootouts - but former Leicester, Wolves, Ipswich Town, Fulham, Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town and Derby County defender Stearman admits he has been quite close to packing in the game for both the past two summers.

"As you get older as a player you know the writing is on the wall a bit," he told BBC Radio WM. "I've been close to retiring now for the last two seasons before deciding to play on.

National League opening day fixtures

"Coming into Moors last summer they said we'll give you the opportunity to play but also let you have a look at the coaching side as they knew that was the route I wanted to go down. It worked quite well and I ended up playing quite a bit. And I got a good taster for the other side."

In the end, having not played over the final two months of last season, he was only an unused substitute on the bench for the second of Moors' Wembley finals.

It was therefore perhaps an easy decision for both player and club when the time came to discuss the coming season with director of football Stephen Ward - his old Wolves team-mate - and manager Andy Whing.

"I sat down with the club and we decided it was best if I was helping on the coaching side and available to be in the office and on the training pitch on a day-to-day basis," said Stearman.

Richard Stearman celebrates with Dave Edwards
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Richard Stearman's Alan Shearer celebration after scoring in the first minute in an FA Cup tie against a reserve-strength Liverpool side at Anfield in January 2017 is a treasured memory for a lot of Wolves fans

"I've been lucky enough to represent some fantastic teams. Leicester City were the platform before I left to join Wolves, where I had a lot of my career highs.

"Scoring at Anfield, a couple of promotions and a couple player of the season awards, promotion with Sheffield United, playing for England through the age groups and even at the end with Solihull making two Wembley appearances in a week.

"It has been great but there comes a time when it has to be done. It was emotional when it finally hit me. But now, having seen the positive way the lads have reported for pre-season, it's all about looking forward."

Moors will start the new National League campaign at AFC Fylde on Saturday, 10 August.

He's had a good career in the end, fair play to him. Loads of Championship appearances and a decent amount at PL level too.

 

Always thought he'd end up a lower league player at best when he was with us. Didn't rate him at all.

[davieG]

55 minutes ago, James_lcfc said:

He's had a good career in the end, fair play to him. Loads of Championship appearances and a decent amount at PL level too.

 

Always thought he'd end up a lower league player at best when he was with us. Didn't rate him at all.

Sometimes effort and commitment can provide substitute for a lack of advanced skills especially in defence. I thought he always gave his all putting his body on the line for the team.

[StanSP]

Never thought he'd be interested in linking up with Rodgers again:

 

 

[lcfcsnow]

4 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Never thought he'd be interested in linking up with Rodgers again:

Makes you wonder whose decision it was to drop him for his 150th consecutive appearance and in doing so force him out, we all assumed it was Rodgers and in that recent interview with Lineker he mentioned it hurt him, the type of person Kasper is wouldn't go and work with that person again.

[norwichfox]

Good luck Kasper and fcuk you Rodgers.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Cuck behaviour from Schmeichel to be honest. Celtic isn't a bad move - but but his career since he left us is a complete mess. Year stints at really average clubs.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

"he'll win trophies at Celtic!" Yeah exhume my grandma and whack her in between the sticks and she would n all but she didn't do a pair of crap stints at Nice and Anderlecht first. Like a firework that hasn't gone out right this, same as Ranieri. No glorious failure, just mundanity.

[Vacamion]

 

The thing is, you can do well and win trophies playing for the Old Firm, but two crap games and the swivel eyed nutjobs that obsess about their club will turn on you.

 

Remember that Celtic are the fanbase that were throwing fencing about and threating their own people under Neil Lennon's tenure, because they weren't top of the league a couple of seasons back.

 

It could work, but it could also turn very, very sour.

[Stevosevic]

"He (Rodgers) is a top manager and someone I can't wait to work with again," added the veteran goalkeeper. "I will be doing all I can to keep Celtic on top."

[Corky]

40 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

Cuck behaviour from Schmeichel to be honest. Celtic isn't a bad move - but but his career since he left us is a complete mess. Year stints at really average clubs.

Genuinely think he wanted to stay with us until he retired. Don't think he:s got over leaving.

[Zear0]

Basically gone to League 1.

 

Still hacked off at how it ended for him here so wish him luck, but f**k Brendan.

Edited 18 July by Zear0

[Bert]

Of all the clubs to join 🤢 

[Claudio Fannieri]

I am clinging to the hope he goes there, goes full on Danny Ward and gets Rodgers the sack ….job done and revenge is sweet 

[MattFox]

Suggests it was Rudkin that forced him out not Rodgers

 

As much of a cretin he is Rodgers was probably right about Rudders

[Tuna]

4 minutes ago, MattFox said:

Suggests it was Rudkin that forced him out not Rodgers

 

As much of a cretin he is Rodgers was probably right about Rudders

No it doesn't!

[Wymsey]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/gallery/james-maddisons-huge-25m-nottinghamshire-9421886

 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

3 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/gallery/james-maddisons-huge-25m-nottinghamshire-9421886

 

 

Why have I clicked this? Elaborate man

[Cincinnati Fox]

1 hour ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

Cuck behaviour from Schmeichel to be honest. Celtic isn't a bad move - but but his career since he left us is a complete mess. Year stints at really average clubs.

He is not a nice bloke, the fact he has failed to settle has not surprised me.

[Tommy G]

12 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

Why have I clicked this? Elaborate man

Gives you an idea of how bad taste looks 

[ian__marshall]

Really disappointed to see him join up with the poisonous dwarf. OK it's a job and if it's all that's on offer I can understand why he'd take it, but given what happened after he left did he really need to pass comment on BR. Surely he could have side stepped that one and simply referenced his joy to be joining such a well supported club, etc, etc. 

[Wymsey]

36 minutes ago, Cincinnati Fox said:

He is not a nice bloke, the fact he has failed to settle has not surprised me.

Where do you base this from?

I know his Father can be quite awkward at times, like a couple of times at the King Power.

 

Genuinely thought Schmeichel junior was well-regarded at LCFC, prior to the alleged falling out with Rodgers.

 

What springs to my mind with Schmeichel was as soon as the helicopter crashed, he was one of the first to the scene and tried to get the victims out until security told him to move away.

Edited 18 July by Wymsey

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

6 minutes ago, ian__marshall said:

Really disappointed to see him join up with the poisonous dwarf. OK it's a job and if it's all that's on offer I can understand why he'd take it, but given what happened after he left did he really need to pass comment on BR. Surely he could have side stepped that one and simply referenced his joy to be joining such a well supported club, etc, etc. 

 Ian Marshall as a username tho 

Edited 18 July by Miquel The Work Geordie

[SemperEadem]

5 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

Where do you base this from?

I know his Father can be quite awkward at times, like a couple of times at the King Power.

 

Genuinely thought Schmeichel junior was well-regarded at LCFC, prior to the alleged falling out with Rodgers.

 

What springs to my mind with Schmeichel was as soon as the helicopter crashed, he was one of the first to the scene and tried to get the victims out until security told him to move away.

I know one LCFC current employee who would share that view of him.