Former Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is back in the UK and searching for his sixth club after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha as a free agent. The 36-year-old made 67 appearances for the Saudi outfit over two years and insists he still has plenty to offer.
Smalling on talks and offers
Speaking on talkSPORT with Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour, Smalling revealed that clubs from various leagues have already made their pitch to sign him. "At the minute, there's conversations ongoing," he said. "I've had some offers, so I feel like I'm in a good position."
"But at my stage in my career, it's now about being patient, making sure it's the right kind of project that fits everything in terms of my role in the team and what I can bring on and off the pitch. I'm in a nice position and just kind of seeing where that lies over the next couple of weeks."
Career journey from non-league to Premier League
Despite racking up more than 580 appearances in his career, Smalling previously admitted football was never even on his radar growing up. "It wasn't even plan D," the defender told the BBC. "I had everything set out. I already had my A levels, and I was looking at other non-league clubs near Leicester because I still wanted to play."
Everything changed when Fulham offered him a contract after Roy Hodgson watched him in a practice match. "It wasn't even a full week," he added. "I didn't have any time to get my head around it. I was just in total shock."
Manchester United move and success
Sir Alex Ferguson then persuaded him to join Manchester United in 2011. "He told me I would get a chance and he believed in me," the defender said, recalling their first meeting. "To be able to share the dressing room and the pitch and have conversations with him is just incredible."
United signed Smalling for £7.2 million from Fulham, and he went on to play over 300 matches for the club, winning two Premier League titles and three other major trophies there over the course of a decade.
