Former Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda has joined Ashton Town in what could be described as the transfer coup of the season, Wigan Today reports.
The Premier League fans had the pleasure of seeing the French defender play for six top-level English teams across his professional career, which started at Le Havre's B outfit in 1998.
At 39-year-old, Chimbonda has been a part of 14 teams. Ashton Town will be his fifteenth.
Career highlights include earning a spot in the 2005/06 Premier League Team Of The Year and being a part of France's 2006 second place World Cup campaign.
Ashton Town, based in Ashton-in-Makerfield, who play in the North West Counties League Division One North, can hopefully enjoy some of that world class talent that Spurs, Wigan, Blackburn, Sunderland and others have in the past.
Club chairman Mark Hayes said: "I first met Pascal when he came over last May to play in my annual Joseph's Goal Legends game.
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"And he did not hesitate to sign when asked to help promote this year's game and to strengthen our team, signing on initially for one month."
He hopes this signing will help put Ashton Town on the North West football map.
"It is a huge boost for the club, and one that I hope Wigan Athletic fans will come and support."
Ashton Town boss Dave Dempsey spoke about the effect that bringing such a player in can have on his team.
"To have a player with the experience and knowledge from the top level of English football is a dream come true," he said.
"We are all extremely excited to have Pascal join our group, and we are sure he will give the players and club a like a sense of excitement in the coming weeks.
"We can only thank our chairman for getting this one over the door for us."
Which Premier League star would you like to see play for your local non-league club?
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Let us know in the comments.
Words by Kane Allen
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