Former Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Middlesbrough man joins 24th club of his career

Former Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Middlesbrough forward Leroy Lita has joined non-league outfit Barwell – the 24th club of his career.
Tom Coates
By Tom Coates
Published 18th Mar 2024, 09:54 BST

The 39-year-old now plies his trade in non-league football and recently departed Coalville Town of the Southern League Premier Division. He left following an approach from a rival club, which has been revealed to be Barwell.

He was named in the club’s starting XI at the weekend as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Needham Market, lining up alongside another former Middlesbrough and Wednesday player in Isaiah Osbourne.

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Lita’s first spell in Yorkshire came in 2009, when he joined Middlesbrough from Reading on a permanent basis. He scored 20 goals in 82 appearances for the club before departing for Swansea City in 2011.

Leroy Lita enjoyed a productive loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesLeroy Lita enjoyed a productive loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Leroy Lita enjoyed a productive loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

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While on the books in Wales, he enjoyed a productive loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday, notching on seven occasions over the course of 17 games. He later returned to Yorkshire in 2014, joining Barnsley on a permanent deal but only managing two goals in 24 outings.

Lita is one of many former EFL stars to have cropped up in non-league football in recent years. Among those currently playing below the EFL are former Sheffield United forward Clayton Donaldson and Yorkshire-born ex-Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom.

Related topics:MiddlesbroughBarnsleyYorkshireClayton Donaldson