Former Birmingham City, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday man transfers to 22nd club

Former Birmingham City striker Leroy Lita has joined the 22nd club of his 22-year playing career.

The 39-year-old is still playing having begun his career at Bristol City in 2005 and he has recently signed with Coalville Town after leaving cash-strapped Nuneaton Borough. Lita joined Nuneaton in the summer but their future is uncertain after their manager Jimmy Ginnelly stood down and they were denied access to their Liberty Way home.

Announcing his departure from Nuneaton, he said: “Unfortunately, my time at NBFC has come to an end. It’s been a pleasure working with the gaffer, Andy, Jamie, Acca, Hannah and the boys.

"The gaffer was the main reason for me re-signing and I have so much respect for the work I’ve seen him do over the years for the club. Best of luck to the fans and everyone at the club.”

Lita has decided to seek a new adventure in football with no signs of retiring and he was unveiled prior to Coalville's FA Trophy win against Walsall Wood on Tuesday night. He is cup tied for their next game and so his debut could be against his former club Nuneaton on Tuesday, January 16. Coalville Town play in the Southern Central Premier League which is the seventh tier of English football.

To refresh the minds of Blues fans of what Lita's contribution was to Birmingham City, he was at St Andrew's for a brief spell in 2012, joining on loan from Swansea City. He scored three goals in a 10-game spell after being signed by Lee Clark on an emergency three-month deal. He returned to South Wales later that season and was loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday where he got six goals in 17 games.

The other professional clubs in his career included Reading in whom he played in the Premier League for as well as Norwich City and Charlton Athletic.

Since 2018, Lita has been playing in the non-league and has moved round a fw times. He was at Margate following a spell in Thailand with Sisaket, and joined the likes of; Salisbury, Chelmsford City, Hednesford Town and Ilkeston Town.