Ex-Barnsley and Nottingham Forest stopper reveals he is playing as STRIKER with new club

Luke Steele started his career with Peterborough United in 1999, before bagging a big move to Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.

The former England youth teamer went on to enjoy spells at Coventry City, West Brom, Panathinaikos, Barnsley, Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and Millwall over a stellar 20-year career.

The stopper is now a free agent, having walked away from the City Ground when his contract expired.

Steele – who appeared 227 times for the Tykes between 2007 and 2014 – made the revelation that he was enjoying life as a striker for his local Sunday league side on the latest episode of the Undr The Cosh Podcast

"I’ve played the last six games,” the 36-year-old admitted. “So my electrician was round and he just caught me in a good mood and said, ‘look do you fancy playing for us for a Sunday league side?’

"I said yes and the next thing you know I’m signing up online with the manager. The manager was really good with me but I told him that I didn’t want to play in goal and he’s given me the number nine shirt, which is so big for me.”

Steele continued: "They asked me and I said yes and I’m absolutely addicted. I’m playing up front, just behind the striker. First game I played, we won 4-1 and I didn’t score, so that was me addicted.

“The second game, we win 4-1 again, I scored and I’ve scored every game since then and I got five on Sunday. I’ve got nine in six, I’m top goalscorer and we’ve just gone top of the league!”

Steele did, however, concede that he would like to return to where it all began for one last roll of the dice in goal for Peterborough United.

Manchester United paid Peterborough £500,000 back in 2002, signing Steele on a four-year contract, with the fee potentially rising to £2.25 million after a certain number of first-team appearances.

Indeed, the veteran goalkeeper was close to a London Road return in August, following an approach from director of football Barry Fry.

"Barry tried to sign me a few weeks ago,” Steele explained. “But it just wasn’t right, I wanted to go and play and I wasn’t sure if I was going to play.

“And with the financial rules at the moment, they couldn't really give me any money at all. And then they signed somebody, so it’s just not quite worked out.

"But I was just saying before this, it’s not my dream but my kind of heart and my soul at the moment is saying that I want to play for Peterborough, so I want to make that happen.

“But, obviously you know timing is what it’s all about, so if I can somehow do that, that would be great.”

Peterborough United are currently second in League One and two points behind Barnsley’s Yorkshire rivals Hull City, who have a game in hand over Darren Feguson’s side.