7 Premier League stars who had strange moves abroad as Wilshere heads to Denmark

Jack Wilshere had been training with Arsenal before his shock move to Aarhus Gymnastikforening this week – but he is not the first former Premier League star to make an unexpected move abroad.

In fact, four former team-mates of the midfielder make our list of seven bizarre moves for top-flight stars, with their transfers coming for a variety of different reasons.

From looking to find a way back to form or even try a new challenge abroad – many deals have caught fans by surprise.

Our list includes one Premier League and Champions League winner that even tried his hand at a new sport entirely after calling time on his footballing career.

Jack Wilshere – AGF

Jack Wilshere finally announced his new club this week following eight months of searching.

After spells with West Ham and Bournemouth, the Arsenal favourite has signed for Aarhus Gymnastikforening in the Danish Superliga.

Wilshere heads to Denmark's top flight to try and get his career back on track after training with the Gunners, but not receiving an offer from Mikel Arteta.

Daniel Sturridge – Perth Glory

Daniel Sturridge scored a total of 76 goals across 218 Premier League appearances during spells with Manchester City, Chelsea, Bolton, Liverpool and West Brom between 2006 and 2018.

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The 32-year-old also managed eight goals across 26 England appearances, and took a new step in his career with a move to Trabzonspor in 2019.

Following seven goals in 17 appearances and a four-month ban for betting breaches, Sturridge joined Perth Glory back in October and made his debut on November 20 against Adelaide United.

He is one of several English stars currently playing their football Down Under.

Aaron Lennon – Kayserispor

Aaron Lennon was one of the best wingers in the Premier League during his time at Tottenham between, 2005 and 2015, earning 21 England caps in the process.

Following three years with Everton after leaving north London, Lennon spent another three seasons at Burnley before an unexpected switch to Turkey.

After one season with Kayserispor, in which he made 36 Super Lig appearances, he returned to Turf Moor in the summer and has since scored against both Manchester United and Brighton.

Joe Cole – Lille

Joe Cole made his name at West Ham before starring for Chelsea between 2003 and 2010, winning three Premier League titles and three domestic cups.

Following a move to Liverpool in 2010, things weren't going to plan for the England midfielder, and he looked for a challenge elsewhere that not many fans would've expected.

Cole ended up playing for Lille alongside Eden Hazard, scoring nine goals across all competitions before a move back to West Ham the following season.

Micah Richards – Fiorentina

Micah Richards famously burst onto the scene as the youngster ever defender to play for England back in 2006, and would go on to make 245 appearances for Manchester City and winning a league title.

Having ended his career following a tricky spell with Aston Villa, not many would remember his loan season in Serie A shortly before his transfer to Villa Park.

Richards made 19 appearances for Fiorentina during the 2014/15 campaign, playing alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Giuseppe Rossi.

Robert Pires – FC Goa

Robert Pires remains a Premier League icon thanks to his two title triumphs with Arsenal under Arsene Wenger and three team of the year appearances.

Having left north London for Villarreal in 2006, he returned to England with Aston Villa for the 2010/11 campaign before calling time on his career.

However, he would return to play for FC Goa in the Indian Super League in 2014, scoring once across eight appearances before retiring for good.

Petr Cech – Guildford Phoenix

A slight variation on the theme, but Petr Cech choosing to join amateur ice hockey team Guildford Phoenix back in 2019 remains one of the most peculiar moves involving a football icon.

The former Chelsea and Arsenal stopper, who won four Premier League titles during his time in north London, takes up the familiar role of Goaltender on the ice.

Cech is thought to be still on the books at the club, but hasn't made an appearance since the six he made during the 2019/20 campaign.

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