I’m a former Premier League star who was arrested for cock-fighting… now I’m back playing aged 43

AN ex-Premier League star once arrested for cock-fighting has made a shock return to football.

Fabio Rochemback hung up his boots ten years ago and has spent the last decade away from the game.

But he has now joined Brazilian amateur side Guarany de Xaxim on a short-term deal.

The club compete in the regional Santa Catarina Championship.

Rochemback captained the side to a 3-2 win on his first appearance.

The 43-year-old is best remembered by the three seasons he spent at Middlesbrough.

He played 91 times for the club and was part of the team that made the Uefa Cup final in 2006.

The midfielder also had spells at Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon.

Rochemback, who was capped seven times by Brazil, was nicknamed The Cannon thanks to his trademark powerful long shots.

Since retiring, he hit the headlines in 2017 when he was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a cock-fighting ring.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Animal fighting is a crime in Brazil and the ex-player was detained by cops in a raid of an event in Rio Grande do Sul.

Police said 89 roosters and £24,000 in cash was also seized that evening.

Rochemback had a farm raided by the authorities six years earlier.