I was Premier League star but now a free agent after my League One relegation

The 33-year-old has been released following the Shrimpers' relegation from League One on a dramatic final day in the division.

Niasse only joined Morecambe in March with manager Derek Adams desperate for a source of goals.

And the man who has worked under Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was excited.

"It is fantastic to be here and to join the club," he said at the time of his signing. "When I spoke to the Manager and staff it was clear that there is a togetherness and unity here that I want to be part of.

"I see that challenge that is ahead of us, but it is one I relish and look forward to and I want to help this club achieve the target of staying in League One."

But it did not quite work out for the former Senegal international, who has played for six British clubs since his move to Everton in 2016.

The striker scored just once in 10 appearances, though that goal did come in a crucial 3-2 win over Lincoln on the penultimate day of the season.

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However, Niasse was only named on the bench when they faced Exeter on the final day where they lost 3-2, courtesy of an emotional hat-trick from Jay Stansfield.

The ex-Everton star did come off the bench but it was too little too late as Morecambe suffered the first relegation of their 103-year history.

Having penned just a short-term deal until the end of the season, Niasse has been told that his contract will not be renewed and he is on the lookout for a new club.

Adams said: "Firstly, I would like to thank all of the players for their contributions across the campaign and for the effort, commitment and dedication they have given to the club.

"To the departing players, it is very difficult as some of them have been with me here for a significant period of time.

"Ryan Cooney, Liam Gibson and Cole Stockton were all part of our play-off winning side and depart with nothing but my best wishes for everything they have given both me and the football club.

"My thanks also to the further departures who will always be able to look back, with pride, at the fact they played for Morecambe FC in League One.

"These players have given as much as they possibly could for the club and created some memorable moments for Morecambe along the way."

It is quite the fall for Niasse, who first arrived in England when he signed for Everton from Lokomotiv Moscow for £13.5million.

Then-manager Roberto Martinez scrambled to get the forward in before Deadline Day, eventually getting his man just before the window closed.

But it did not work out for the Ouakam-born ace, who made just seven appearances that season for the Toffees and failing to get on the scoresheet.

After Martinez was sacked and replaced by Ronald Koeman, the legendary Dutchman told Niasse that he was not in his plans and said: "If Niasse likes to play football he needs to leave Everton."

When he did not secure a move away, Niasse was demoted to the Under-23s and had his locker revoked before joining Hull in January 2017 on loan, with an option to buy.

However, the Senegalese striker could not hit form in Humberside either, scoring five in 19 games before the Tigers were relegated and did not take up the option to buy.

Another loan to Cardiff followed where he did not score a single goal in 13 appearances before being released by Everton in 2020.

After a year without a club, Niasse appeared out of nowhere at Huddersfield, penning a short-term contract in March 2021 before leaving in the summer and waiting another year to join Burton on a similar deal with a similar outcome.

Morecambe is the third club to follow this style and if Niasse follows his own trend, it might be another year before the journeyman striker is seen again.