Four years after hanging up his boots, ex-Cardiff City, Newcastle United and Sunderland striker Michael Chopra has joined Welsh second-tier side Trethomas Bluebirds.
A cult-hero at Cardiff City, he is now a ‘Bluebird’ again, after signing for the Cymru South outfit.
The 42-year-old has enjoyed a successful career playing in Wales, England and Scotland and even had two spells at Kerala Blasters in India – the country of his father.
Chopra last appeared for English lower-league side West Allotment Celtic in 2022 before calling an end to his player career.
The veteran forward says he has decided to resurrect his playing career in the Welsh second tier, after initially being asked to be an ambassador for Trethomas.
“I was willing to be an ambassador for the club, after what the fans in the Cardiff area have done me for during my difficult times I thought it would be good to give back to local communities and local football clubs,” said Chopra.
“The chairman then said ‘why don’t you sign for us?’ He thought it would be brilliant for the football club if I did.
“I live in Amsterdam now, but once the fixtures come out you can pick and choose which games you want me to play in and it’s not a problem sitting on the bench.
“I believe you’ve got to earn the right to play. Even though I’ve played at the highest level, I’m no different to the players they’ve got now.”
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The Newcastle-born forward made 159 appearances across four separate spells at Cardiff. He scored 63 goals, with his most famous coming late in a 2-1 home win in the south Wales derby against Swansea in April 2010.
Chopra becomes the latest high-profile player to join the domestic setup after former Swansea striker Lee Trundle signed for Cwmbran Town in the third tier earlier this month.
“I think it’s great for myself to put my name towards one of the local clubs in Cardiff, I just think it’s brilliant,” added Chopra.
“It is also great for some older Cardiff fans to have a chance to bring their kids to come and watch me play, because they never got to see the Michael Chopra who was playing for Cardiff because they weren’t around.”
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