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Sandro explains his decision to come out of retirement to join Harborough Town

Sandro explains his decision to come out of retirement to join Harborough Town who play in the 7th tier of English football.

The ex-Premier League and Brazil midfielder looks set to feature for Harborough when they play at Reading in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

Sandro, 35, signed for Tottenham from Brazilian side Internacional in 2010 and spent four seasons with the Premier League club, and also had spells with the likes of Queens Park Rangers, West Brom, Antalyaspor, Benevento, Genoa and Udinese and won 17 caps for Brazil.

Sandro last played competitively in 2020 for Brazilian side Goias, but also had a stint with B-SAD, then in September, 2023 he announced his retirement from football in a post on Instagram.

Reporter: Now how about this? Former Tottenham and Brazil midfielder Sandro has joined Southern League Premier Central Club, Harborough Town, who are in the 7th tier of English football. To get more on this, I’m delighted to say he joins me now. Sandro, come on. Tell me more about this move. You good? You okay?

Sandro: Hello, guys. All good, man. So it’s it’s happened. I was doing a work, for Tottenham in the stadium, and, the the Spurs fans, were there, in the restaurant. And they they said, Sandro, you look amazing, and you should you should play for my team. And I said, guys, you know, where where is the game? When when is it’s gonna be the game? So I will, I will do it. And they they start to talk, no, Reporter:, you gonna do it? And I said, that’s for you guys. It will be a pleasure to go there and to to help you guys, and I’m free. I will be free. So, I can do it for you guys. No problem.

Reporter: You’re coming out of retirement, but do you feel fit? Do do you feel ready? You look good. I know you look good.

Sandro: No I’m trying to, to be fair. I do gym, you know. I try to run, but, to play football is different. You have to do more. So now, I need to improve my training. Your club, they’ve got Reading in the FA Cup. They’re doing absolutely amazing in the FA Cup. Will you be able to play in that match as well?

Reporter: Yes. Sure. Because they said to me that, I’m in. I’m ready registered, and, I will be able to to play that, that game. And for me, it will be will be a pleasure, man, to come back after 2 years just for a a game like that. It’s amazing. It’s one more chance for me to play, to feel the the game again because I miss football and, and it will be so great to to be in the in the changing room again one more time, you know, and to help them also. This happened just because I want to help them. And I didn’t ask for money. They said, Sandro, we can pay you. And I said, guys, I will do it for for fun, you know, because, you asked me. You are a Spurs fan, and, I like you guys. You always, was so nice to me, so I can do it. No doubt.

Harborough Town FC are delighted to announce the signing of former Tottenham, West Brom, QPR, Udinese, Genoa, Internacional and Brazilian International Sandro.

Manager Mitch Austin commented; “What an unbelievable signing for the club, I really cannot express how I am feeling. I had a chance conversation with Sandro a couple of weeks ago and we got talking about football, told him about Harborough Town FC and the journey we are on and he has been messaging me ever since to sign on, totally unbelievable and gobsmacked is how I would describe this signing. These sort of signings don’t happen every day but when you get a chance to sign an ex-professional footballer who has played at the highest level in the Premier League and Internationally with Brazil, you just cannot turn it down.”

Sandro retired from professional football in September 2023 and Mitch Austin went on to say, “Being a Tottenham Hotspur fan myself I knew all about Sandro, but when I looked back at a few photos online and there he was stood in a Brazil team photo with the likes of Neymar Jr., Ronaldinho, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Marcelo, I was like what is going on, pinch me!. But credit to Sandro he has kept himself really fit and is an absolute great guy, down to earth who when the Chairman and I met with him came across very genuine, polite and humble, you could really sense there was a real desire to get the signing done on his part, I am absolutely delighted to have him at our club. I think the players and staff around the club can learn great things from him and develop and watch his professionalism and understand what is needed if they want to progress and play at the highest possible level of the game. However long he stays we will all become better for it.” Concluded Mitch.

Chairman Peter Dougan stated; “What can I say, Mitch has done it again! I don’t know how but what a signing this is, a real show of intent from the club to be as good as they can. When I met Sandro I have to say there was trepidation, but really I cannot speak highly enough of him and his professionalism and will to make this signing happen. Everything about the signing was positive, what negative could there possibly be? He will certainly help all the players around him and what a time to be one of those players, I am sure they will relish him being at the club as should we all.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Sandro explains his decision to come out of retirement to join Harborough Town…

@BlueBee1980: What an amazing opportunity for the club, and they are making the most of it. They may never get this media exposure again so why not make the most of it, max it out. If this can bring an extra few hundred fans through the gate long term, those players will reap the rewards. 🐝

Alex Walke: Not the first ex premier league player to play at this level. Bedford Town had many over the years including one in the current squad, Kettering Town has Nile Ranger and Barwell has Leroy Lita. Plenty more where that came from.

Ashley Knight: More chance of winning the cup with Harborough than with Spurs…

Ade Cotter: Only playing for the 1 Cup game isn’t he ?

Reece Taylor: I actually cannot believe it

John Cullen: Good signing but don’t leave any players out that have done well!

Kenny Anderson: Amazing 🤩 & bonkers 🤪 in equal measure. Good luck to the fella & hope it works out for all parties!

Stella Traynor: Wow! Welcome to Harborough Sandro – can’t wait to see you run out at the Beehive 😀🐝🐝🐝

Chris Fitzgerald: What a great story. Having met Sandro a few times I can safely say, apart from being a great player, he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Good luck to him and to your team.

Gary Freeman: 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 some signing that

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