Simeon Akinola once turned out against Real Madrid's youth sides after moving to Spain to pursue a career in football - but these days he's behind a desk at a famous bank.
Akinola swapped Nigeria for Spain, when his brother was picked up Atletico Madrid. And it was in Madrid where Akinola started turning out for Alcorcón - his local side in Madrid.
Here, Akinola would turn out against Real and Atleti's youth teams - who would feature David de Gea, Dani Carvajal, and Alvaro Morata. However, Akinola never quite made it to the top of the sport - and he enjoyed a journeyman career in England's lower leagues.
In his time on these shores, Akinola played the likes of Boreham Wood, Wealdstone, and Southend United. While he hasn't yet formally hung up his boots, Akinola has now landed himself a job at the world-renowned JP Morgan.
Akinola had been recovering from injury, when a friend suggested the new career path. He explained to The Athletic: "I'd like to think there's nothing JP Morgan could throw at me I haven't been through before in football."
He added: "Sitting down in front of a screen for hours is insane. It's a huge change, but I like a challenge. "You have to constantly be alert. I don't like saying I'm retired, but it's practically impossible [to go back to football]."
What do you think of Simeon Akinola swapping the pitch for the bank? Let us know in the comments section
Akinola's final appearance on a football pitch seemingly came over the winter period - when he was a substitute in Wealdstone's 2-0 loss to Barnet in early December.
Tweeting back in February, Akinola said: "Today I became the first ever Professional Footballer to join @jpmorgan through its Athlete Transition Program.
"Immensely proud of this achievement. If you're going through a similar transition or planning your post-football career, drop me a message. Always happy to help."
RM_y_nada_mas
1
See how big my club is!!
kinlmnptuy
0
A football career doesn't last forever. Infact, every player playing the game now should be preparing for the future. The measure of your future success after football is whether you use your time wisely during your playing career i.e. identifying outside interest besides football, researching business opportunities STAY away from restaurants bars, look into real estate properties, rentals, ask Brendan Rogers about real estate investments, pursuing your coaching badges that's if you want to continued your career in football as a coach, business ventures go to school, generate a new business ventures based on what is popular among the young generations phone apps, new innovative social apps. find something that your passionate about and run with it in creating a new business venture. most importantly pursue something that makes you happy. Word of advice save your money stop wasting your money on expensive cars, expensive holidays, expensive homes you can't afford after you retire. Rich people don't flaunt there wealth. It's not Kool. So many former players are broke bankrupt and infact homeless. Stay away from the slappers find a smart humble partner that's invested in each other's futures not caught up with you glamour life style.
see who di advice people wey get money. oga worldly things di hungry you na money u no getam
Petdeortyz
0
A football career doesn't last forever. Infact, every player playing the game now should be preparing for the future. The measure of your future success after football is whether you use your time wisely during your playing career i.e. identifying outside interest besides football, researching business opportunities STAY away from restaurants bars, look into real estate properties, rentals, ask Brendan Rogers about real estate investments, pursuing your coaching badges that's if you want to continued your career in football as a coach, business ventures go to school, generate a new business ventures based on what is popular among the young generations phone apps, new innovative social apps. find something that your passionate about and run with it in creating a new business venture. most importantly pursue something that makes you happy. Word of advice save your money stop wasting your money on expensive cars, expensive holidays, expensive homes you can't afford after you retire. Rich people don't flaunt there wealth. It's not Kool. So many former players are broke bankrupt and infact homeless. Stay away from the slappers find a smart humble partner that's invested in each other's futures not caught up with you glamour life style.
advisor... 😄😄😄😄
viucekrt
4
A football career doesn't last forever. Infact, every player playing the game now should be preparing for the future. The measure of your future success after football is whether you use your time wisely during your playing career i.e. identifying outside interest besides football, researching business opportunities STAY away from restaurants bars, look into real estate properties, rentals, ask Brendan Rogers about real estate investments, pursuing your coaching badges that's if you want to continued your career in football as a coach, business ventures go to school, generate a new business ventures based on what is popular among the young generations phone apps, new innovative social apps. find something that your passionate about and run with it in creating a new business venture. most importantly pursue something that makes you happy. Word of advice save your money stop wasting your money on expensive cars, expensive holidays, expensive homes you can't afford after you retire. Rich people don't flaunt there wealth. It's not Kool. So many former players are broke bankrupt and infact homeless. Stay away from the slappers find a smart humble partner that's invested in each other's futures not caught up with you glamour life style.