James Collins suffered an injury less than an hour after signing for Aston Villa - and reportedly physically tore up his contract in frustration.
The 35-year-old former Welsh international centre back was a free agent after being released by West Ham last summer.
He had been training at the Championship club in recent months, and impressed manager Dean Smith enough to earn a deal.
After proving his fitness, he was handed a five-week contract this week, worth £10,000-a-week, to provide defensive cover over the busy Christmas period.
However, according to the Mirror, in his first training session after signing the deal, he injured his calf, ruling him out for what would have been the duration of his short-term deal.
Collins was reportedly so unhappy, that he went back inside Villa's Bodymoor Heath facility and tore up the paperwork, cancelling his contract with the club.
Manager Smith said: 'James has picked up a calf injury and hasn't trained. He has a tight calf so there's nothing moving with that.'
Collins previously played for Villa in the Premier League between 2009 and 2012, making 108 appearances.
Villa, currently eighth in the Championship, only have two senior centre backs in captain James Chester and Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe.
wedding
0
He could of cashed in there, respect to home for that but my wife would have killed me if I threw away 50G. :(
He's earned a lot already. Probably the least he's earned in a contract.
payback
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What a honest top bloke rather than get paid for nothing he done the most honest thing. Respect.
begongq
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Ginger Pele.. A king among others. Great professional and a true Hammer ..
Wednesday
1
He could of cashed in there, respect to home for that but my wife would have killed me if I threw away 50G. :(
mailbox
0
Honest. Sorely lacking with the modern day footballer.
damone
0
50k for 5 weeks work. I'd be gutted as well!