A former Premier League wonderkid has revealed the reason why he once snubbed Barcelona’s offer of a 10-year contract.
John Bostock, 32, has had a varied career with clubs such as Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Nottingham Forest, playing across various leagues and countries.
As a promising young player, Bostock caught the eye of Crystal Palace, becoming their youngest-ever player at just 15.
During this period, he attracted interest from Barcelona, who offered him a lucrative ten-year contract to move to Spain.
Bostock turned down the offer and later joined Tottenham, where he was loaned out to Brentford, Hull, Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon, and Toronto before leaving permanently in 2013.
He then had stints in Belgium and France and is currently with National League team Solihull Moors.
Reflecting on his decision to reject Barcelona, Bostock feels content with his career. He explains that his faith played a crucial role in guiding him through challenges and shaping his perspective on his career and life.
“My family and I thought it was best to stay in England, particularly London,” Bostock said. “As a follower of Jesus, I believe our steps are guided. My faith, which I developed in my mid-teens, has been a source of strength through various trials and has helped me mature quickly, giving me a broader view on my career and life.”
“Moving to Barcelona would certainly have been a wonderful opportunity, but I met my wife while at Tottenham, and it was there that my character was truly shaped, both on and off the pitch.
The offer from Barcelona was quite tempting, but ultimately, we decided to remain in London.”
Bostock will be remembered by some for his missed penalty in the 2023 National League play-off final, where his panenka attempt against Chesterfield hit the bar. Despite this, Notts County eventually won the match and earned promotion to League Two.
After returning to English football in 2020, Bostock reflected on the challenges of living abroad. “I would have loved to end my career overseas, but as you mature and start a family, your priorities shift,” he said. “Being settled in a home after so many years of traveling is certainly a blessing.”
