England gamers had a mad summer time during which they almost gained the Euro 2024 trophy, however for one former Three Lions worldwide, issues have been an entire lot crazier because of the switch window.
For Andros Townsend, merely realizing which membership he’s signed to has turn into a difficulty. The 33-year-old, who made 13 appearances for England between 2013 and 2016 and scored three objectives, signed a short-term cope with Luton in October 2023 after they had been within the Premier League.
After impressing supervisor Rob Edwards along with his performances, Townsend put pen to paper on an extended contract in January 2024. He remained with the membership as they had been relegated to the Championship, participating in pre-season over July and August.
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 When Turkish Tremendous Lig aspect Antalyaspor got here calling, Townsend was open to a brand new alternative, signing with them after showing for only a minutes on the finish of Luton’s 4-1 defeat to Burnley of their opening sport of the Championship season.
A switch ban has meant that Townsend cannot formally be registered for Antalyaspor, nonetheless, whereas the membership cannot even announce his signing, too.Â
“I am caught in Antalyaspor simply coaching, I do not know who owns me, I do not know the place my contract is,” Townsend instructed BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night club.
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Townsend left Luton this summer time (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
In truth, Antalyaspor’s switch ban runs till January 2026, which means if the dispute is not settled, Townsend’s profession might stay in limbo for an additional 18 months.Â
“I’ve had a loopy couple of weeks. Three days earlier than the beginning of the season at Luton, I get a cellphone name from Antalyaspor, saying ‘now we have a proposal for you however you’ve obtained 24 hours to reply as a result of we’ve obtained a switch ban coming and we have to get you in earlier than the switch ban’.
“So, no time to consider it. I managed to barter to be concerned within the first sport for Luton, performed ten minutes in that after which it was actually all signed, all performed. We missed the deadline by a few hours. The contract is signed [but] they cannot formally register me, they cannot announce me as a result of they’ve a switch ban.
Townsend does not know who owns him (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Townsend continued, including that he merely does not have a clue what is going on or the place he stands.Â
“Each time I ask them, they are saying ‘the contract is signed, you are our participant’. However nothing has been introduced,” he added.” There have been so many pink flags, you would not imagine it. However one thing was telling me that is the suitable transfer for me, to go and expertise one thing new in Antalya which is a gorgeous metropolis proper close to the seashore. One thing was telling me to make it occur.
“I made the choice, I believed, to maneuver out right here. Actually, I’ve no concept what’s taking place and what is going on to occur.
“I maintain getting instructed ‘tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow’. Each time I ask what’s taking place they are saying ‘don’t fret you’re our participant, you are contracted to us, you’ll be able to’t go anyplace’. I am simply right here.”
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