Followers have been left in disbelief after a former Premier League winger was seen sporting a brand new look over a decade on from his final top-flight look.
The ex-player, now 41, was seen at League One membership Lincoln Metropolis’s final sport of the season on Sunday, when he posed for a photograph alongside goalkeeper Carl Rushworth and defender Paudie O’Connor on the Sincil Financial institution Stadium.
He made 182 appearances within the Premier League for the likes of Studying, Hull and Wolves, scoring 27 objectives, whereas additionally profitable the Championship with the previous in 2005-06. At worldwide stage, he earned 39 caps for his nation.
So, are you able to guess who it’s?
Followers had been left in disbelief after a former Premier League winger was seen sporting a brand new look
It’s in actual fact Stephen Hunt, the previous Republic of Eire worldwide greatest recognized for his difficult runs and curly locks.
One consumer replied: ‘That’s by no means Stephen Hunt, is it?’
A 36-year-old fan put: ‘No means! He can’t be solely 5 years older than us!’
Hunt began his profession with Crystal Palace, earlier than spending 4 years within the second and third tier of English soccer at Brentford.
He finally secured a transfer to Studying in 2005 and helped the membership safe promotion to the Premier League as Championship winners that season.
Nonetheless, throughout a top-flight conflict with English champions Chelsea the next October, Hunt grew to become embroiled in controversy when a near-fatal collision with Petr Cech pressured the Blues goalkeeper to endure surgical procedure on a fracture of the cranium.
The Royals midfielder appeared to lunge together with his knee and make contact with Cech’s head whereas sprinting for the ball, which left him unconscious and combating for his life.
Thankfully, after being rushed to hospital he underwent the life-saving operation, which Cech himself has since admitted was a ‘very shut name’.
![It is in fact Stephen Hunt, the ex-Reading winger best known for his tricky runs and curly locks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/09/16/70776465-12064163-image-m-84_1683645813080.jpg)
It’s in actual fact Stephen Hunt, the ex-Studying winger greatest recognized for his difficult runs and curly locks
![Hunt made 182 Premier League appearances for Reading, Wolves (pictured) and Hull](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/09/16/70776531-12064163-image-a-83_1683645795324.jpg)
Hunt made 182 Premier League appearances for Studying, Wolves (pictured) and Hull
![He became embroiled in controversy after a collision with Chelsea star Petr Cech in 2006, which left the goalkeeper with a near-fatal fracture of the skull](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/09/16/70776433-12064163-image-a-79_1683645749282.jpg)
He grew to become embroiled in controversy after a collision with Chelsea star Petr Cech in 2006, which left the goalkeeper with a near-fatal fracture of the cranium
The Czech Republic shot-stopper performed with a protecting helmet for the rest of his legendary Premier League profession on the recommendation of medical professionals.
After avoiding a sending off over the problem, Hunt was subsequently cleared of violent intent by the FA and subsequently confronted no disciplinary motion.
He informed BBC Radio 5 Reside’s Sportsweek present concerning the incident in 2019: ‘I do not know [Cech] personally, I do not know him that effectively, however for him it could have been very simple to criticise me.
![Hunt has since expressed his gratitude for Cech's forgiveness](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/09/16/70776365-12064163-image-m-85_1683645917940.jpg)
Hunt has since expressed his gratitude for Cech’s forgiveness
‘It will have been a straightforward shot at me if he wished and he by no means did, in order that alongside the road of my profession has helped me, I suppose, as a result of if he did begin firing some bullets at me or [had said] I used to be a shame or something like that, then I’d have been extra scrutinised for the sort out.
‘The truth that he has behaved the best way he has all these years, I am grateful of. He is an exquisite keeper and, going ahead, I am positive he’ll be successful.’
After leaving Studying in 2009 following a spell within the Championship, Hunt went on to play top-flight soccer once more with Hull and Wolves earlier than returning to the second tier at Ipswich.
He finally introduced the curtain down on his 17-year profession in 2016 following a short stint in League One with Coventry.
Since hanging up his boots, Hunt has based his personal soccer company, named ‘Stephen Hunt Administration’.
His company contains footballers from the UK and Eire, together with Lincoln duo Rushworth and O’Connor.