Soccer-Sharp reverses retirement and joins eighth-tier AFC Rushden

FILE PHOTO: Sep 20, 2023; Carson, California, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Billy Sharp (27) reacts to scoring a goal during the second half against Minnesota United FC at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Nov 1 (Reuters) - Former ⁠Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp ⁠has reversed his decision to retire from ‌professional football and signed for eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds, the club announced on Sunday.

The 40-year-old Sharp, ​who announced in October ⁠that he was ⁠stepping away from the professional game after a ⁠22-year ‌career, will now continue playing in non-league football and is ⁠expected to feature in Diamonds' FA ​Cup first-round ‌tie at Burton Albion next Saturday.

The ⁠move marks ​a return to the area whereSharp's prolific career first gained momentum. The first of ⁠his 299 professional goals ​came during a loan spell with the original Rushden & Diamonds in 2005.

Rushden & Diamonds went into ⁠liquidation in 2011 after financial problems and was succeeded by phoenix club AFC Rushden & Diamonds, formed by supporters.

Sharp enjoyed ​his greatest success at ⁠Sheffield United, where he helped the side ​to win three promotions, ‌including two to the Premier ​League.

(Reporting by Paras J. Haji in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)

Thank you for your report!

资料照片：2023年9月20日；美国加利福尼亚州卡森市；洛杉矶银河队前锋比利·夏普（27号）在尊严健康体育公园对阵明尼苏达联队的比赛下半场进球后庆祝。图片来源：Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports/资料照片（必须注明出处）

11 月 1 日（路透社）——前谢菲尔德联队队长比利·夏普改变了从职业足球退役的决定，并签约加盟第八级别联赛球队 AFC Rushden & Diamonds，该俱乐部周日宣布了这一消息。

40岁的夏普在10月份宣布结束22年的职业生涯，现在他将继续在非职业联赛踢球，预计他将在下周六钻石队与伯顿阿尔比恩队的足总杯第一轮比赛中出场。

此举标志着夏普重返他辉煌职业生涯起步的地区。他职业生涯299粒进球中的第一粒，正是在2005年租借效力于当时的拉什登钻石队期间打进的。

拉什登钻石队在 2011 年因财务问题破产清算，之后由球迷组建的凤凰俱乐部 AFC 拉什登钻石队接替了它。

夏普在谢菲尔德联队取得了最大的成功，他帮助球队赢得了三次晋级，其中包括两次晋级英超联赛。

（Paras J. Haji在班加罗尔报道；Clare Fallon编辑）

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