Forgotten Premier League star makes unexpected move to non-league club

FC St Helens play in the North West Counties Football League, the ninth tier of English football.

The Merseyside-based club have now shown serious ambition in their bid to move up the pyramid as they announced the arrival of former Swansea City forward Jefferson Montero.

Montero joins from Ecuadorean side Club Deportivo Tumbaco AV25, who are owned by Antonio Valencia.

A bizarre link between Valencia and FC St Helens Sporting Director Mark Hayes led to Montero's move.

Despite the strange nature given Montero's pedigree and FC St Helens' standing in the English pyramid, Hayes stressed the deal was not a 'publicity stunt'.

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"With SMS Pro Soccer, I work with Antonio Valencia's academy in Ecuador, AV25, and Jefferson has been playing there," Hayes said.

"There are some incredible talents at AV25, they have had three promotions in three years.

"However, we have been lucky enough to sign the one who is ex-Premier League and LaLiga!

"This isn't a publicity stunt. Jefferson is still hungry, having only recently stopped playing, and is exactly what FC St Helens needs for the second half of the season push."

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Montero joins having made 84 appearances for the Swans, with 66 of those coming in the Premier League.

The 35-year-old proved to be a dependable asset on the left flank for Swansea, registering two goals and 14 assists.

Prior to joining Swansea in 2014, Montero had spells at Villarreal, Real Betis and Levante in Spain.

Montero remained on Swansea's books until June 2020, eventually finding a new home in November at Mexican side Queretaro.

Stints at AD 9 de Octubre and SD Aucas followed before he joined Valencia's club in 2024.

Montero also shined on the international stage for Ecuador, earning 64 caps and scoring ten goals.

The 35-year-old started in all three of Ecuador's games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup as the South American nation took on Switzerland, Honduras and France.

Despite taking four points from their three games, Montero and his Ecuador teammates were unable to progress from Group E.

Montero also played the full 90 minutes in each of Ecuador's three games at the 2015 Copa America, but results were not kind as defeats to Chile and Bolivia meant the world No. 24-ranked nation exited at the group stage.

The 35-year-old joins FC St Helens with the club sitting eighth out of 24 teams in the North West Counties Football League.

FC St Helens sit on 49 points, four off of fifth-placed West Didsbury and Chorlton who occupy the final play-off place.