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Sport

08th Sep 2015

This former MLS player is the latest footballer to switch sports

Tom Victor

One of the beauties of living in America is that if you don’t succeed in one form of football they’ve got another one of their own for you to try.

That’s the path that Josh Lambo has taken after leaving MLS club FC Dallas.

The 24-year-old has time on his side, and has signed a deal with NFL outfit the San Diego Chargers to join their roster as a kicker.

Lambo is by no means the first footballer to try his hand at a different sport, though, and here are a couple he’ll look to emulate.

Tim Wiese

Another former goalkeeper, Wiese’s professional football career was considerably more successful than his American counterpart.

A German international with six caps for his country, Wiese played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup for Werder Bremen before hanging up his gloves aged just 32 to begin a new career in professional wrestling.

And if you were wondering whether he’s been taking the new sport seriously, take a look at this.

https://instagram.com/p/1dBrgmCb86/?taken-by=wwetimwiese

Adam Gemili

Much is made of Premier League footballers’ pace over a short distance, but one former Chelsea youngster has made the most of his speed in a new career.

Gemili, who also spent a year in Reading’s youth setup, quit football in his teens to become a professional sprinter and hasn’t looked back.

The decision looks to have been a good one, as the youngster made it to the 100m semi-finals of his first Olympic Games in 2012 and went on to win silver in the same event at the Commonwealth Games two years later.

Curtis Woodhouse

Those sportsmen who take on multiple pursuits often struggle to reach the top, but Woodhouse came closer than many.

During his playing days the ex-footballer racked up a handful of Premier League appearances with Birmingham City before eventually dropping down the divisions.

Then in 2006, when still involved with non-league club Rushden and Diamonds, the England Under-21 international began a boxing career which began with 10 straight wins and would later see him win the British light-welterweight title.