AFC Rushden & Diamonds sign Sheffield United legend following professional retirement
AFC Rushden & Diamonds have completed the stunning signing of veteran forward Billy Sharp.
Sharp announced his retirement from the professional game in mid-October, bringing to an end a remarkable 22-year career which saw him feature for a number of clubs across the top four divisions of English football.
The first of Sharp's 299 professional career goals came for Rushden & Diamonds back in 2005, during a loan spell at the club.
The 40-year-old frontman most notably achieved legend status during his time at Sheffield United, having helped the club to promotion on three separate occasions - twice to the Premier League.
Going from a boyhood Blades supporter to captain of the first team, Sharp scored 129 goals over three spells - the last of which came to an end following the 2022/23 season after he had helped the club secure a return to the Premier League.
A further promotion to the English top flight for Sharp came earlier in his career with Southampton.
After spending time in the MLS with LA Galaxy in 2023, Sharp returned to the UK and enjoyed stints at Hull City and Doncaster Rovers, scoring the goal which secured promotion to League One for the latter in April last year.
It has now been confirmed that Sharp will venture into non-league with eighth-tier Diamonds, and he is set to feature in their historic FA Cup first round trip to Burton Albion on Saturday 7 November.