Ex-Tottenham star Danny Rose closing in on return to football with shock free transfer to AEK Athens after Watford exit
DANNY ROSE is close to signing for Greek side AEK Athens.
The former England international, 32, has been a free agent since leaving Watford at the beginning of September, having made just nine appearances for the Hornets.
But he is now on the verge of signing for AEK Athens after verbally agreeing to join the club.
Rose is set to sign a one-year deal with Matías Almeyda's side but the move will need to be completed quickly if Rose is to make his debut against Panetolikos on Saturday.
The left-back trained with Tottenham over the summer while he was still under contract at Vicarage Road.
He even featured in a friendly for a Spurs XI against Enfield Town in July.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
If he completes the switch it will be Rose's first taste of football outside England.
Rose spent 14 years at Tottenham which included loan spells at Sunderland and Newcastle before joining Watford permanently in 2021.
He could join several other Brits in the Greek Super League, as well as former Toon and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew who signed a one-year deal with Aris Thessaloniki this week.
Former Blackpool star Josh Bowler also moved to Greece over the summer, signing for champions Olympiacos on loan from Nottingham Forest.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
The Champions League outfit could boast a star-studded line-up this season featuring a number of ex-Premier League players.
Former Real Madrid legend Marcelo signed in the summer and has been joined by his ex-team-mate James Rodriguez, formerly of Everton.
Ex-Arsenal ace Sokratis Papastathopoulos could line up at centre-back alongside Pape Abou Cisse, who has been previously linked with Newcastle, Everton, Leicester, Arsenal and Liverpool.