Premier League star who became a cult icon for 2013 transfer window antics reveals surprising career move

Premier League star who became a cult icon for 2013 transfer window antics reveals surprising career move

Rewind to 2013 and Peter Odemwingie was the story of the January transfer window as an erroneous drive to London created one of the most memorable moments in English football history.

Hours before the transfer market closed on February 1, 2013, the then-West Brom striker believed a move to QPR was imminent as he took it upon himself to make the trip from the Midlands to the capital.

The two clubs had been attempting to thrash out a deal with Odemwingie jumping the gun and driving to Loftus Road to make sure the paperwork went through and even gave a now iconic interview to Sky Sports addressing his future.

But there was no deal, and instead of being welcomed with open arms, Odemwingie was shut out of QPR and forced to circle the block before returning north, to the very team he said goodbye to the day before.

Now, the infamous moment is but a brief memory for the 43-year-old who is attempting to carve out a career for himself in another elite sport after retiring from football in 2019.

Golf is a favourite hobby of many footballers – just ask Gareth Bale – and Odemwingie is no different after first being introduced to the sport during his stint at West Brom but only developed a passion for it when he signed for Stoke. 

Peter Odemwingie remains a Premier League cult icon after his failed transfer in 2013

Since retiring from football six years ago, Odemwingie has become a PGA golf professional

Since retiring from football six years ago, Odemwingie has become a PGA golf professional 

The former Premier League forward gave an optimistic interview to Sky Sports as he waited outside the gates at Loftus Road in 2013 only to be left red-faced as the transfer failed

The former Premier League forward gave an optimistic interview to Sky Sports as he waited outside the gates at Loftus Road in 2013 only to be left red-faced as the transfer failed

Former Potters boss Mark Hughes was in charge at the time and an introduction to the tee left Odemwingie wanting more. So much so that the deadline day icon is now a professional golfer.

From one sport to another, the Nigerian hasn’t lost any of his competitiveness and is boasting lofty aims of major success after becoming a member of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).

His dream now is to qualify for the PGA Tour where he would compete alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, while a route to the prestigious Open is also available.

In 2020, the former striker announced he planned on committing to becoming a professional golfer, and spoke of his plans to qualify for the EuroPro Tour after undergoing a PGA training course. 

A two handicapper at the time, Odemwingie compared passing his playing test with the final putt to ‘scoring a last-minute free-kick and taking three points home’.

He also has dreams of coaching players in his two home countries, Russia (Odemwingie was born in the USSR, in what is now Uzbekistan) and Nigeria, but is in the meantime fully focused on taking his playing career as far as possible.

However, it isn’t just finding fairways that has got Odemwingie to this point. Post-football retirement is usually a time when players start to spend the vast sums generated throughout their careers, but for the ex-Premier League star it was a trip back into education.

After four years of studying at the University of Birmingham, he graduated with a foundation degree in professional golf studies and later told the BBC it was one of the proudest moments of his career.

The 65-cap international is now focused on earning a place on the PGA Tour

Odemwingie believes he has the talent to succeed in golf

The 65-cap international is now focused on earning a place on the PGA Tour and at major competitions 

Harry Redknapp previously rejected the chance to sign Odemwingie when he was QPR boss

Harry Redknapp previously rejected the chance to sign Odemwingie when he was QPR boss

Odemwingie has ambitions to one day compete alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy (pictured)

Odemwingie has ambitions to one day compete alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy (pictured)

‘It was a proud moment for me,’ he said when recalling his route through university, though it wasn’t without it’s challenges.

‘On graduation day, seeing how everybody else was happy made me realise it took all of us some effort to get over the line, because a few people quit.

‘I kind of miss it now.’

His studies gave Odemwingie an insight into the psychology and business behind golf and he now wants to use that gained knowledge to help inspire other youngsters in Nigeria to pick up a club.

‘One of my dreams is to see a Nigerian flag on the European Tour or PGA Tour,’ outlined Odemwingie.

‘Hopefully my story will encourage people to start participating, encourage parents to take their kids and give them a feel of golf. I’m sure many of them will fall in love with the game just like I did.’

But, it’s not just golf where the ex-footballer is making a name for himself, because his social media exploits have earned him some fame – amongst football fans at least – for being a TikTok singing sensation.

Odemwingie frequently posts videos of himself performing songs – often with religious undertones – whilst playing the guitar, much to the surprise of his fans. 

Now retired from football, Odemwingie is pursuing a golf career and shares his musical talents on social media

Now retired from football, Odemwingie is pursuing a golf career and shares his musical talents on social media

Odemwingie's failed transfer to QPR ultimately spelt the end of his West Brom career a year later

Odemwingie’s failed transfer to QPR ultimately spelt the end of his West Brom career a year later

But supporters have been responding in their droves to the varied content, with some of his videos – which include an homage to his time at Stoke City set to ‘Lady in Red’ – being viewed hundreds of thousands of times. 

One video which caught the eye saw Odemwingie perform ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles, garnering 167,000 views in the process. 

Another performance took place following the death of Queen Elizabeth II when Odemwingie posted a video on social media singing Bob Marley and the Wailers smash hit, ‘No Woman, No Cry’. 

But beyond attracting new followers for his musical stylings, the social media site has allowed scores of fans to rediscover the former Premier League star – and get to know him for more than just a failed trip to west London.


Source From: Football | Mail Online

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