The seventh-tier non-league team Westfield FC has finalised the signing of highly experienced defender Charlie Daniels, is previously of Leyton Orient and Premier League team AFC Bournemouth.
This is possibly some of the most startling news of the day. The left-back, who made over 120 appearances in the English Premier League and scored nine goals, the most notable of which may have been an incredible rocket against Manchester City in 2017, is joining Westfield after an impressive career in the game.
Daniels decided to retire from football after leaving League Two team Colchester United at the start of 2022. Most recently, he has been coaching the U21 team at Watford.
Westfield’s latest high-profile addition, who came through Tottenham Hotspur’s system, rose to prominence at Leyton Orient, where he played for the O’s for over 136 games and scored two goals between January 2009 and December 2011.
However, his eight years at Bournemouth, when he played a key role in the club’s ascent, were unquestionably the high point of his lengthy career. It’s safe to say that Daniels deserves his “legend” reputation on the south coast because, although the Cherries were struggling in League One when he joined them in 2011, he helped them earn promotion all the way to the Premier League and establish themselves as a top-flight club.
He enjoyed stints at Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth near the conclusion of his football career, and after leaving Colchester, he retired.
But for Westfield FC, who were fourth in the Isthmian League South Central Division the previous season but lost in the playoffs, coming out of retirement is a significant statement signing as they aim to push for promotion again in the upcoming season. Such experience could make a player more competitive in the race for the top rank.
After coming so close last year, it is undoubtedly a fantastic signing for Westfield to add a guy with a tonne of experience at the highest level of English football. One would expect that he can inspire the team to help them be promoted out of a very competitive division.
Since the 37-year-old hasn’t participated in a competitive match in the past two years, his match fitness will be the only area of concern. Still, a full preseason ought to help him return to peak physical condition.
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