FORMER Premier League striker Matt Derbyshire has come out of retirement to sign for a seventh tier club.
Derbyshire announced that he was hanging up his boots just last month.
In a statement on social media, he wrote: “What a privilege in life to play this wonderful game of football. I have never taken a single day for granted waking up and being able to do this as my job for the past 22 years.
“It has allowed me the privilege to play for my home club Blackburn Rovers, the team that I supported grown up as a local boy and where I made my Premier League debut.
“I could not and would not have picked a better club to start my journey and will be forever grateful to them.
“I have been so fortunate to have experienced and played in every level of English football and I am so proud to have represented my country…
“I wish I could do it all over again but now it’s time for me to pass on my knowledge and help the next generation of young footballers.”
Now, just eight weeks on from his announcement, the 38-year-old is making a retirement U-turn.
Derbyshire has signed for non-league side Matlock Town.
The seventh-tier club is managed by Ryan Cresswell and player-coach Adam Clayton, who played with the striker at Bradford.
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Cresswell said: “Myself and Clayts went to the Rotherham game today and he was the guest speaker in the lounge.
“Clayts played with him at Bradford City so knew him really well. He wants to play football and we put a deal together to suit all parties for him to come on board.
“He’s really excited to be involved and get back playing and had offers from multiple non-league clubs but is really excited about the work we’re doing at Matlock and wants to be a part of it.”
Derbyshire was released by Bradford at the end of the 2023-24 season and struggled to find another club before announcing his retirement.
The striker has also played for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Wrexham, Olympiacos, Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and Blackpool.
