Daniel Pudil completes extraordinary journey from Champions League to ninth tier

Daniel Pudil once came up against the might of Arsenal and Sevilla in the Champions League.

But next season the former Slavia Prague full-back will be facing the likes of Goole and Silsden, after completing a shock move to non-league side Hallam FC. Pudil, aged 36, made the surprise decision to sign up for the ninth tier Sheffield-based side to keep up his fitness.

The Countrymen are the second-oldest club in the world (behind neighbours Sheffield FC ) and play at Sandygate Road which is officially recognised as the oldest football ground in the world. Pudil was playing in Europe's premier club competition for Slavia back in the 2007-08 season. He featured in their group stage games, scoring away against Sevilla in a 4-2 defeat and also helping keep a clean sheet at home to the Gunners in a goalless draw.

His form for Slavia eventually earned him big money moves to first Belgian side Genk and then Championship side Watford.

He then swapped the Hornets for Hillsborough, arriving at Sheffield Wednesday on loan in 2015 before the move was made permanent.

He became a popular player for the Owls spending four years there. Such was his affinity to the city that he retained a strong bond and after a brief spell playing back in his native Czech Republic, he is now once again registered as a player in the Steel City, this time for Hallam.

Craig Denton, manager of the side who clinched the NCEL Division One title last term, said of Pudil's arrival: "He lives locally to Hallam FC and he's got a family here, he's settled. The chairman came across him and I managed him in a charity a couple of weeks ago. He just wants somewhere that will allow him to fit into his schedule.

"He's a busy guy and he doesn't want to commit too hard in terms of professional football or anything like that. With him being local he wants to get involved, keep in shape, enjoy himself and add something to a local football club.

"In the dressing room, that spreads. How nice is it to share a space with a Czech international who has played for Sheffield Wednesday and Watford and all these clubs? He's still a quality player, he's 37 this year so he's not that old and he looks after himself. As a manager I'm absolutely delighted to have someone of his quality."

Pudil's decision to drop down into the lower leagues came just days after another high-profile player was enticed into the non-league scene. Daniele Mannini has played for the likes of Napoli, Brescia and Sampdoria in his career. Now, aged 38, he is embarking on an unlikely stint at tenth tier Beverley.

The switch came about after Mannini bumped into the club's chairman Mark Smith whilst the pair were walking their dogs.

Beverley boss Dave Ricardo said: "Dani can be a real inspiration for everyone involved at the club. It's not often you get someone who has played the amount of games Dani has done at a high level, never mind in Serie A!"