‘Not a publicity stunt’ – 9th tier club FC St Helens pull off shock signing with ex-Premier League player Jefferson Montero joining.
Montero joins the North West Counties Premier League side, marking a significant move in his career from professional to semi-professional football.
The 35 year old, who previously played for Swansea City and made 64 senior international appearances for Ecuador, will now play under Michael Smith at FC St Helen.
The club, which was formed in 2014, has enjoyed a rise through the football pyramid, gaining promotion from the Cheshire Football League and achieving a strong debut season in their current league, currently sitting 8th with 49 points from 30 games played.
NEW SIGNING | FC St Helens are elated to confirm the arrival of former Premier League and Ecuador star, Jefferson Montero! Please, give Jefferson the warmest of welcomes! #UpTheStripes❤️🤍 @SkySportsNews @itvfootball @talkSPORT @NonLeaguePaperhttps://t.co/baf9wZvjCW pic.twitter.com/qwVlh4ep7Z
— F C St.Helens (@fcsthelens) January 17, 2025
A decade ago yesterday…
Jefferson Montero ruining Callum Chambers all game and Bafetimbi Gomis scoring his first goal for the Swans.
FT: Swansea City 2-1 Arsenal. 🦢 pic.twitter.com/VvBJ0BVpMT
— Jordan (@JordanWebber96) November 10, 2024
What is great about leading @SMSProSoccer is that I get closer to players like @JeffMONTERO23.
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks but international clearance is through & he will be ready to go very soon. His commitment is immense & he has been in the gym daily since agreeing to… pic.twitter.com/cBWJUT0pVa
— Mark Hayes (@northernpromise) January 17, 2025
Mark Hayes, Head of the enterprise and Sporting Director at FC St Helens said: “I am absolutely delighted to bring Jefferson to FC St Helens. With SMS Pro Soccer, I work with Antonio Valencia’s academy in Ecuador, AV25, and Jefferson has been playing there.
“There are some incredible talents at AV25, they have had three promotions in three years. However, we have been lucky enough to sign the one who is ex Premier League and La Liga!
“This isn’t a publicity stunt. Jefferson is still hungry, having only recently stopped playing, and is exactly what FC St Helens needs for the second half of the season push.”
In a tweet, he said: “What is great about leading @SMSProSoccer is that I get closer to players like @JeffMONTERO23.
“It’s been a crazy couple of weeks but international clearance is through & he will be ready to go very soon. His commitment is immense & he has been in the gym daily since agreeing to sign.
“Huge thanks to his club AV25 & their amazing leader in @anto_v25, & of course good friend Julio who was key to the signing. Welcome Jefferson 🔴⚪️ Exciting times 🤝🏻🇪🇨 #UpTheStripes #SwanseaCity #EPL #SMSProSoccer #Tours #Trials #TalentID”
Manager of FC St Helens, Michael Smith, tweeted: “Jefferson is available for sponsorship, £5,000 home shirt, and £5,000 away shirt. If you want to do both, £9,999.
“He’s still got a lot about him, too 🤩 His biggest challenge… understanding me 😂 #UpTheStripes 🔴⚪️”
He’s expected to potentially make his debut on the 25th of January for the trip to Colne.
HIS CAREER:
Youth career
Emelec
Senior career
2007 – Emelec – 22 games (2 goals)
2008–2009 – Independiente José Teran – 37 games (19 goals)
2008 → Dorados (loan) – 5 games (1 goal)
2009–2010 – Villarreal B – 32 games (10 goals)
2010–2012 – Villarreal – 20 games (2 goals)
2011 → Levante (loan) – 11 games(0 goals)
2011–2012 → Betis (loan) – 34 games (1 goal)
2012–2014 – Morelia – 74 games (15 goals)
2014–2020 – Swansea City – 84 games (2 goals)
2017–2018 → Getafe (loan) – 4 games (0 goals)
2018 → Emelec (loan) – 14 games (1 goal)
2019 → West Bromwich Albion (loan) – 4 games (1 goal)
2019–2020 → Birmingham City (loan) – 18 games (0 goals)
2021–2022 Querétaro – 30 games (0 goals)
2022 – 9 de Octubre – 7 games (0 goals)
2023 – Aucas – 13 (0 goals)
2024 – Academia AV – 1 game (0 goals)
2025– FC St Helens – 0 games (0 goals)
International career
2007–2018 – Ecuador – 64 games (10 goals)
Fans reacted as 9th tier club pull off a shock signing with the ex-Premier League player…
@FarnhamTownfan: Felicitaciones!!!!!!
@nocontextfm1: What in the Football Manager
@StevenLFC22: Welcome to a great club
@ItsToeKneeAgain: This is mental 😂😂 what a signing
@louissmith22: Well this is random
@divdogz04: Fair play 😂😂
@danny_c157: Crazy work this @8M_Smith7 could’ve pulled off the signing of the January window here @fcsthelens 👏🏼👏🏼
@pattoJPN1: Not lasting 2 weeks this. Just Get him to Marine, Linnets or Cables immediately. Pick your level chief. No point in him getting settled youz can’t keep him sorry.
@NLNatter: I love non league football
@LinnetsTVJackMc: Wow, remember him playing for Swansea
@dylmogz28: I’d take him back now
@Gareth_beef: Viva Montero, viva Monterooooo
@scottelderr: Guy had about 4 good games a season and 2 of them were against Hector Bellerin. Never seen anyone do him for speed the way Montero did.
@tomhwilliams23: I’m sorry? 😅
@JohnPepCourtney: Absolute scenes
@DiegoMax90: We St. Helens supporters now? Yup. 🇪🇨
@wbaa_j: jesus christ. #FreeMontero real ones remember.
@MyNath14: What the actual fuck 😂
@heyit5sam: Non league never fails to amaze me
@FraserSport1: Branislav Ivanovic still has nightmares.
@_CFlaherty_: Some signing that for @fcsthelens. ⚽👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@BlazeMeister78: At only 35, that is a truly obscene signing for that level of Football 😲😲😲👏👏👏👌
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