Former West Brom and Birmingham City star takes bizarre turn on turbulent career path

Ex-West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City loanee Jefferson Montero has signed for FC St Helens in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Yes, you read that right. Montero, a 64-time former Ecuador international and 66-time appearance maker in the Premier League has decided to join the tenth - yes the tenth - tier of English football.

It’s a rather unprecedented capture for a club at that level, securing the services of a 35-year-old with experience in the top flights of Ecuador, Spain, Mexico and England. He also boasts appearances in the Europa League, Copa Libertadores and even the World Cup.

Now, you may be wondering how this all came about. As did we when we first came across it, in all honesty. But it turns out Montero’s arrival in St Helens has actually come as a result of a collaboration with SMS Pro Soccer, an agency specialising in global football partnerships and talent trials.

In reaction to Montero signing on the dotted line, Mark Hayes, the head of SMS Pro Soccer and the sporting director at St Helens, said: “I am absolutely delighted to bring Jefferson to FC St Helens. I work with Antonio Valencia’s academy in Ecuador, AV25, and Jefferson has been playing there.

“There are some incredible talents at AV25, they have had three promotions in three years. However, we have been lucky enough to sign the one who is ex Premier League and La Liga!

“This isn’t a publicity stunt. Jefferson is still hungry, having only recently stopped playing, and is exactly what FC St Helens needs for the second half of the season push.”

What involvement did Jefferson Montero have at West Brom and Birmingham?

Montero didn’t exactly set the world alight with either West Brom or Birmingham, making just four appearances for the Baggies and 18 for Blues. He did score once for Albion, however, netting on his first start in a 3-2 victory away at Queens Park Rangers. For Blues, he contributed merely one assist.

It’s a shame things didn’t work out for the Ecuadorian at either The Hawthorns or St Andrew’s as he was an excellent player in his prime. Montero has represented 14 teams throughout his turbulent club career, totalling 366 matches and 35 goals.

In time order, Montero has turned out for CS Emelec, Independiente, Dorados Sinaloa, Villarreal, Levante, Real Betis, Getafe, Swansea City, West Brom, Birmingham, Queretaro, Ad 9 de Octubre, SD Aucas and Academia AV. He’s now set to finalise his playing days in Merseyside.