Petr Cech makes debut for new club at the age of 41 as fans praise his longevity

Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has made his professional ice hockey debut aged 41.

Cech swapped his gloves for a pair of skates after retiring from football in 2019. The shot stopper won four Premier Leagues, five FA Cups and a Champions League during his illustrious career on the pitch.

He's been working his way up the hockey ladder since then, and recently signed on loan for Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) side Belfast Giants as temporary emergency cover in between the sticks.

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Cech made his first appearance in the UK's top division on Sunday (November 26), coming on as a substitute with less than five minutes to go against Glasgow Clan in front of a sell-out 6,000 crowd at the SSE Arena.

Fans of his old sides were stunned to see him still going into his 40s, with one commending: "This is actually insane, being professional in one sport is hard but two??"

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"Incredible achievement this, well in big Pete," hailed a second, while a third commented: "Fair play to him professional at two sports is such a flex."

A fourth joked: "Cech out here completing side missions, legend." And a fifth wrote: "Love seeing second and third phases in people's careers."

Cech started his ice hockey career with the Guildford Phoenix, spending three years with them before moving onto the Chelmsford Chieftains in November 2022. He then joined Oxford City Stars earlier this year.

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Reflecting on his pro debut, he said: "It's a special moment, obviously you don't want to go in particular circumstances where you get told 'ok, you need to get in' and I've been standing there on the bench for quite a long time.

"So it's obviously not the ideal for anybody who just jumps in like that but that's what I was here for, to be ready at any time if I'm needed and obviously the last five minutes I went in and I felt my experience from playing big games for such a long time.

"Obviously they help because I didn't feel nervous. I spent two weeks training with the team so I felt I can some in and do my part."

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