A former Premier League sensation has signed with a fifth-tier English team after previously declining Barcelona’s offer of a 10-year contract.
John Bostock, a former England youth star, has signed with his 16th club in his professional career after being released by League Two team Notts County in the summer. Bostock initially attracted attention as a young player at his boyhood club, Crystal Palace, where he excelled in Eagles youth squads beyond his age category.
During this period, he caught the interest of Barcelona, one of the biggest teams in La Liga, who made him an amazing ten-year offer to relocate to Spain. Bostock has previously told the BBC that “Barcelona offered me a 10-year contract when I was 14.” “They sent me a signed poster by Ronaldinho, who was my favorite player at the time.” I still have it at my London home. “To John from Ronaldinho,” it read.
You name the club, and I was drawn to them. The elite teams in European football are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter [Milan], Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.” In the end, he moved from Palace to Tottenham, which led to a 2008 tribunal between the two teams.
He was transferred on loan to Brentford, Hull, Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon, and Toronto before departing the team permanently in 2013. Nevertheless, he was never able to play in the Premier League. After stints with Royal Antwerp, Leuven, Lens, and Bursaspor, he joined Toulouse, who subsequently loaned him to Nottingham Forest for the 2019–20 season.
In 2021, he went back to England to sign with Doncaster Rovers, although he left the team after just one season due to their relegation from League One that summer.
Later in 2022, Bostock moved to Notts County, where he helped the team win promotion to League Two the previous year. However, in 66 games, the midfielder could only muster four goals, and the team chose to part ways with him following a 14th-place result.
The 32-year-old has now signed a two-year contract with Solihull Moors, a National League team. Bostock wrote down his thoughts and added, “I’m very pleased, it’s been a process coming to this decision but one I’m very grateful for and I’m pleased to get the season underway.” He went on, “As a family man, my family comes first, thus it was incredibly crucial where the club was located.
“It all came down to discussing their desired style of play and the club’s goals with Wardy, the gaffer, and the project. The club has advanced rapidly, and they were extremely near to making the next move last year.”
Stephen Ward, director of football at Solihull, is happy to have the midfield player on board for the 2024–2025 season. “We have all seen the talent he has as a footballer during his career, most recently during his successful time at Notts County,” Ward stated.
We are ecstatic to have him and his family join our club, and we are eager to collaborate with him. We are happy that he has joined our vision here at Moors because we know he is a terrific person.”
