In the surprise transfer move of the football season, Dutch legend
Edgar Davids has signed for npower League Two outfit
Barnet.
The new signing, the highest profile in the club’s 124-year history, will adopt a player-manager role- sharing Head Coach responsibilities with, the incumbent, Mark Robson.
Davids, now 39, will return to on-field service after a two-year absence. It is, indeed, the second time that he has come out of retirement. In 2010, he broke another two-year absence to embark on a short spell with Crystal Palace.
Since leaving Palace, Davids has kept himself active through a variety of community and charity projects. Not least of these has been his involvement with a series of global street soccer initiatives. Attesting to his great physical conditioning, an official statement has suggested that Davids could be ready to make his playing re-debut within the next fortnight.
An on-field return, would mark the beginning of a 20th footballing season for the iconic Dutchman. In his 19-year career, to date, Davids has earned 74 caps for his national team, won a Champions League medal with Ajax, and helped Juventus to three Serie A titles.
What’s more, Davids has been able to transcend the confines of football and become one the most historically-significant proponents of the, high-tech, Oakley sports eye-wear range. The glaucoma sufferer’s endorsement of the Oakley Racing Jacket design, led to the frame becoming a worldwide best-seller. Oakley embraced this buzz by releasing the Oakley Pitbull frame, which bears the nickname of the tenacious ball-winner. Both designs are influenced by the goggles worn by action sports participants, including snowboarders and cyclists, and offer ultra-reliable protection to the eyes of both sportsmen and everyday wearers.
In conversation with the BBC, Barnet’s Director of Football Paul Fairclough said of the shock signing:
“The capture of Davids is a statement of intent by our club, to improve results and lay further foundations for the future.
Edgar is a world-renowned footballer and will be a great example to all our young players.”
In his new role, Davids will be actively involved in training, drawing upon his experiences at elite nurturing clubs, such as Ajax and Barcelona, to aid in the development of Barnet’s youngsters.
The Underhill club currently lie at the foot of the English League pyramid, having yet to win a game this season.