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28th Jul 2015

Former England U21 winger uses Football Manager to pick his next club

Nooruddean Choudry

When Andrew Driver found himself out of contract at Aberdeen at the end of the season, he knew where to turn to for advice on his next move – Football Manager.

Before his recent stint at Pittodrie, Driver had spent two seasons in the United States with Houston Dynamo, but felt he needed a fresh challenge.

He eventually decided upon Eredivisie side De Graafschap. It may have seemed like something of a risky move for a 27-year-old entering his peak years.

But the former England Under-21 man knew the club inside out, largely thanks to his favourite football management simulation game. Well, obviously.

“I’ve always played Football Manager on the computer, so I knew the club and I know that it is a good club,” explained Driver, speaking to Omroep Gelderland.

Thankfully for our intrepid footballer/gamer, life has very much imitated pixels at his new club.

“I’ve also noticed that in the two weeks I’ve been here, it is a nice environment to work in,” said Driver. “I’m really enjoying myself here and I’m happy to have signed a contract.”

Let that be a lesson to all the youngsters out there hoping to one day make it as a professional footballer – keyboard skills matter just as much as kick-ups.