Italian goalkeeper Marco Amelia has dropped five divisions to kickstart his career at amateur side Rocca Priora after being released by AC Milan.
At the age of 32, the 2006 World Cup winner should be entering his prime, but after leaving Milan in the summer, he has not managed to find another club. As a result, he is now looking to play for the Italian minnows.
"I'm going to fulfil the role of technical director and will sit with the lads on the bench," explained Amelia. "In fact, I'm going to do even more than that -- I've decided to formalise my registration as a player, as well as management."
It is only a year ago -- almost to the day -- that Amelia was lining up at the San Siro for a Champions League tie against Barcelona. He took the plaudits as the Rossoneri held on to a 1-1 draw, although he remained No. 2 when Christian Abbiati was fit.
The goalkeeper did play Milan's last five games of the season under Clarence Seedorf before his contract expired on June 30, leaving him free to find another club.
That search has proven difficult for a man who was Gianluigi Buffon's understudy at the successful 2006 World Cup. The offers were there, but not the one to tempt the former Genoa custodian as much as a drop to the sixth division of the Italian game.
"Maybe I expected a bit more, also because there was no transfer fee to be paid and I've never been obsessed with money," Amelia explained in Il Tirreno. "I got plenty of offers from abroad and had a few chats with Italian clubs, but nothing came of anything, and not for economic reasons.
"In any case I'm happy doing my own thing at home. I've got my family by my side and I'm running this club, enjoying myself with these lads. Of course playing the game is something completely different, but if these are the conditions then it's right that I stay at home."
Amelia became honorary president of Rocca Priora in 2009 and he could now make his debut for a side who are fifth from the bottom of the table having conceded 14 goals, against Nuova Florida on Sunday.