I starred alongside Micah Richards at Man City and then retired at 25 to be an assistant head teacher

THIS former Manchester City ace used to star alongside popular pundit Micah Richards.

But his career took a very different turn.

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And after retiring at the age of 25, he is now an assistant head teacher.

Nathan D’Laryea joined City’s youth academy at the age of 12, coming up through the ranks as a top protégé in 2004.

The defender featured alongside eventual Premier League winner Richards, who now stars as a pundit on Sky Sports, BBC and CBS Sport.

But D’Laryea never made a single senior appearance for City.

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After a loan spell at Macclesfield Town in the 06/07 season, he was released on a free transfer.

D’Laryea then spent two years at Rochdale, where he played just nine times before sealing a move to Conference North semi-pro side Hyde United.

His first season went swimmingly, scoring once in 33 outings.

But D’Laryea ended up suffering an injury that eventually forced him to retire at the age of 25.

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He then made a shock career change by deciding to pursue teaching.

D’Laryea first studied English Language at the University of Manchester before signing up to the Teach First Leadership Development Programme in 2012.

And he is now the assistant head teacher at Loreto High School in Chorlton.

D’Laryea told the in 2016: “I wanted a clean break from football which is why I didn’t go down the coaching route.

“I had done some coaching with disadvantaged children in Bermuda and really enjoyed it.

“That’s partly why Teach First appealed to me because you’re working with kids from really challenging backgrounds.

“I’ve found that football has helped me build relationships with the pupils in the schools where I have taught – especially with some of the difficult boys.

“I quickly settled in. Once kids had heard my back story they tend to be really interested.

“That’s the good thing about being a career changer. You have something else to offer the kids other than what you’ve learnt at university.”