A two-time Premier League-winning centre-back has joined the Baller League as a wildcard ahead of the tournament’s second night of action on Monday.
The innovative league – a weekly indoor six-a-side football tournament launched in Germany in 2023 – arrived in the UK for the first time last week, with YouTuber KSI as president.
The popular competition is made up of 12 teams, which are run by influencers, celebrities, and former football stars, including the likes of Gary Lineker, John Terry, and Maya Jama.
Each week, managers are allowed to select two wildcards to bring into their 12-man squad for one game, which is shown on Sky Sports and YouTube.
Ahead of the second weekly showpiece, Deportrio, who are managed by the punditry trio of Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards have opted to bring in Joleon Lescott.
The 42-year-old – who won the Premier League with Manchester City on two occasions – will join former top-flight stars Bakary Sako and Marvin Sordell in the Lineker-led team just for one match.
Joleon Lescott, who won the Premier League twice with Man City, will play in the Baller League
The retired defender has signed as a wildcard for Gary Lineker’s six-a-side team Deportrio
The team is also run by Lineker’s fellow Match of the Day pundits Micah Richards (left) and Alan Shearer (right)
Lescott notched up over 500 appearances in what was a glittering 17-year career, with the majority of it spent in the top flight of English football.
The defender started out at his boyhood club Wolves, spending six years in gold before making a move to Everton in 2006.
The Toffees were crucial in Lescott’s development in becoming a top player. During his three years at the club, he shone in the heart of defence and played a major role in the club reaching the 2009 FA Cup final, which they lost to Chelsea.
Then came the knock of Manchester City – one year after they had come under the ownership of the Abu Dhabi royal family – where he started to rake in the silverware.
Lescott won the Premier League in both 2012 and 2014, while he also got his hands on both the FA Cup and League Cup during his five years on the east side of Manchester.
Stints at West Brom, Aston Villa, AEK Athens, and Sunderland then followed for Lescott, before he retired from the beautiful game in 2017.
Lescott was also capped 26 times for England during his career, making his international debut in 2007 while at Everton.
He scored one goal while playing at international level, with his solitary strike coming against France at Euro 2012.
Lescott played a key role in the City side that won their first Premier League title back in 2012
The defender played 26 times for England and his only goal came at Euro 2012 against France
The Baller League is a a weekly indoor six-a-side football tournament which arrived in the UK last week
YouTuber KSI is president of the UK branch with stars such as John Terry and Maya Jama as managers
The ex-defender has also held numerous coaching roles within the FA and was in Lee Carsley’s backroom staff during his stint as England’s interim manager following the exit of Gareth Southgate.
However, now he is putting a football kit back on in order to help Lineker and Co take on N5 FC, a team run by former Arsenal trio Jens Lehmann, Freddie Ljungberg, and Robert Pires.
The league is made up of 12 teams. The final four at the end of the season progress to the semi-finals, before the final decides the winner of the league.
Deportrio currently sit second behind Yanited, who are managed by social media star Angry Ginge.