Ex-Tottenham midfielder joins Spanish basketball minnows in shock career change

Former Premier League midfielder Etienne Capoue has joined a new club… a third division basketball side.

The 36-year-old was recently released by Spanish side Villarreal, to bring an end to his three-and-a-half-year stay at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

During his stint at Villarreal, he helped the Yellow Submarine win their first and only trophy in their 101-year existence.

He started in their Europa League final victory over Manchester United in 2021 – just months after arriving from Watford.

But incredibly, he could now be about to embark on new career in basketball with Spanish minnows CB Jovens L’Eliana.

That is according to news outlet Relevo, who have stated he has traded the football pitch to the basketball court.

It has been claimed that the Frenchman, who played two years at Tottenham between 2013-2015, has spent the last week training with the club, who ply their trade in the third-tier of the Spanish basketball pyramid.

The news outlet has even said he took part in a friendly match last weekend, which his side won 78-70 against CB Morvedre.

That was backed up by an Instagram post shared by CB Jovens L’Eliana, where Capoue could be seen wearing the club’s colours.

Though it has been said he is yet to be registered with the team, meaning he cannot play in any competitive matches.

It remains to be seen whether the ex-Spurs and Watford star will officially link up with the basketball side.

Though a source from CB Jovens L’Eliana clarified Capoue’s mindset by telling Relevo he has the firm intention of ‘ending his days as a footballer’.

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They also stated: “We don’t want to put pressure on him. He told us that he wanted to play, that he wanted to train.”

Should Capoue pen an official contract at CB Jovens L’Eliana, it would fulfil a childhood dream of his to play basketball.

It was only last year that he discussed his love of the sport, while refusing to rule out a potential career change.

He told Relevo: “My dream as a child was to play NBA basketball. Clearly.

“That was my dream. But it’s still my dream, eh? I don’t know.”

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