- The previous Premier League goalscorer has accomplished his transfer to AFC Totton
- Spells at Southampton, QPR and West Brom noticed him star within the Premier League
- The 35-year-old strikes to non-league after his contract expired at Swindon City
A former Premier League star is continuous his profession after signing for seventh-tier aspect AFC Totton on the age of 35.
The previous Southampton, QPR and Burnley striker has been dropping down the ranks of the EFL in current seasons and beamed as he was unveiled on the Nationwide League aspect on Wednesday.
Becoming a member of Totton represents a brand new frontier for the veteran who made 451 appearances throughout all 4 skilled leagues in English soccer, scoring 178 objectives within the course of.
The ex-Premier League goalscorer has spent the final two seasons taking part in at League Two aspect Swindon City, amid the backdrop of feuds between the membership house owners and fanbase.
Charlie Austin made 48 appearances in English soccer’s fourth tier final season and scored 14 objectives because the Robins fought off relegation, however has opted towards retiring after his contract expired.
An-ex Premier League star is continuous his profession after becoming a member of seventh-tier aspect AFC Totton
Charlie Austin made the change to the Non-League aspect as he joins the eleventh membership of his profession
As a substitute, Austin has determined so as to add one other membership to his glittering CV by selecting to hitch final season’s Southern League Premier Division South runners-up.
Austin beforehand rose by means of the ranks of Non-League soccer with early profession spells at Kintbury Rangers, Hungerford, Thatcham City and Poole, earlier than ultimately transferring into the EFL ranks.
Revealing how his newest transfer got here to fruition, Austin stated: ‘James Beattie received in contact with me in Could and requested me the scenario, and I stated I nonetheless needed to play within the Soccer League – however let’s keep in contact.
Austin made a reputation for himself scoring objectives for the likes of QPR within the Premier League
The 35-year-old additionally beforehand spent an unsuccessful spell with Brisbane Roar in Australia
‘And that was it for the primary 4 or 5 weeks. We stayed involved and he invited me to come back and prepare with the membership. I wasn’t too certain at first however then, whereas I used to be on vacation with the youngsters, the penny kind of dropped and I rang him and stated look, let’s do the deal.
‘I do know I can convey a variety of expertise, having performed in all 4 divisions of the skilled league, in addition to at this kind of stage in the beginning of my profession.
‘If my sport can slot in with the crew and may also help the crew to recover from that remaining hurdle, then that is what it is all about – the aim is for us to get promoted.
‘Non-League basically over the past 15 years has received higher. There are such a lot of extra gamers who’ve been concerned within the skilled sport however then do not get contracts and are available again by means of into Non-League, and the one helpful level of that’s that Non-League will get lots higher and lots stronger.’
