Jesse Lingard makes Al-Ettifaq move as ex-Man Utd star links up with Gerrard
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Jesse Lingard has joined up with for Al-Ettifaq, the Saudi Pro League club who are managed by Steven Gerrard.
The club announced on Friday evening that the former Manchester United ace, who spent last season at Nottingham Forest, will be training with the team for a month on a trial basis. The 30-year-old is still a free agent but could sign permanently with Al-Ettifaq if his trial period goes well.
Lingard was released by Forest at the end of last season following a disappointing campaign at the City Ground, in which he failed to score in 17 Premier League appearances. He recently spent time training with West Ham, where he spent a highly-fruitful loan spell during the 2020/21 season, but wasn't offered a contract.
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Fans on social media reacted to news of his Al-Ettifaq move by declaring that the 30-year-old career was "finished". One person tweeted: "Say way for him to end his career. He really could've been something if he got his head down."
Another wrote: "Lingard is finished man. What a waste of talent," while a third said: "Sums up his career these last few years. Ridiculous that he can't even get a contract in Saudi Arabia. He has to go there on trial. What happened to him man."
How will Lingard do out in Saudi Arabia? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Should Lingard earn a full-time contract he'll become the second England international to move to Saudi Arabia this year, after Jordan Henderson, who joined Al-Ettifaq in July. Gerrard has leaned heavily on his experience in British football since he joined the club, signing not only Henderson, but also former Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum, ex-Leicester and Everton ace Demarai Gray and former Celtic defender Jack Hendry.
Lingard, meanwhile, began his career at Old Trafford, initially breaking into the first team in 2015. He made 232 appearances for the club before moving to Forest in 2022 when his contract expired.
- Saudi Pro League
- Steven Gerrard
- Manchester United FC
- Breaking News
- Nottingham Forest FC
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