Ex-Liverpool star Sturridge scores in secret friendly as he eyes football return

Daniel Sturridge proved he still has an eye for goal as he scored for Mallorca in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

The former Liverpool and England striker is still searching for a new club after leaving Turkish club Trabzonspor in March 2020.

Sturridge, 32, is desparate to return to action and has been training with Mallorca - who were promoted to La Liga last season - this summer.

The left-footed marksman is not short of pedigree, having helped Liverpool win the Champions League in 2019. He scored 67 goals during six-and-a-half seasons with the Reds, but much of his time at Anfield was blighted by injury before his release two years ago.

Sturridge has been without a club for the last 18 months ( Image:

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Now fully fit and out to impress suitors across the continent, Sturridge got on the scoresheet in the secretive friendly.

He took to Instagram to post a selection of training pictures and wrote: "Champing at the bit", while he also declared he would "show the world" his ability in a tweet.

"No better feeling than scoring goals," wrote Sturridge. "Even in behind closed doors games like I played today, when I scored it felt amazing.

"Feeling sharper and sharper as the days go by. Can't wait to play a proper game whenever the day comes and show the world my talents.

"God is good."

Sturridge celebrated his birthday at the start of September and his goal comes after he issued a message to clubs on the lookout for a striker.

"Year 32. More motivated than I've ever been in my life to be successful," wrote the Manchester City academy graduate.

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"Older, wiser and fit as a fiddle. God is good. Thanks everyone for the birthday messages. Means a lot."

Sturridge won the Premier League, Champions League and two FA Cups during a three-and-a-half year stint with Chelsea before joining Liverpool for £12million in January 2013.

He caught up with his former teammate Jordan Henderson in July, after the Reds skipper helped the Three Lions reach the final of Euro 2020.

"Mallorca vibes with bro. Banter was flying as per," Sturridge wrote. "I Genuinely miss these vibes right here. Nothing but love and respect for the skipper. Bro for life, truss. reds through and through."

Sturridge scored eight goals in 26 appearances for England and last represented his country in 2017.

He joined Super Lig side Trabzonspor in the summer of 2019 and scored seven goals in 16 games before agreeing to terminate his three-year contract.

Sturridge subsequently served a four-month ban for a breach of betting regulations.