A former Premier League star made a guest appearance on the latest episode of the Soccer A-Z podcast – and looked completely unrecognisable from his playing days.
This week, the Soccer A-Z gang delivered their best words beginning with the letter D that are associated with football.
‘Diving’ and ‘Di Canio’ were both mentioned, while Robbie Knox threw a top-flight cult hero into the mix whose first name begins with D.
He even managed to get them to send in a video message, and when the ex-player popped up on the screen, it gave the whole Soccer A-Z crew an almighty shock.
‘Morning Soccer AM legends, Darren Huckerby here,’ the message began as the ripped and heavily tattooed former Manchester City, Norwich and Coventry forward spoke into the camera.
Darren Huckerby (pictured) looked completely unrecognisable on the Soccer A-Z podcast
Huckerby played for multiple Premier League clubs – including Man City – and was known for his pace and eye for goal rather than his ripped physique
Tubes was particularly stunned by Huckerby’s new look as he asked: ‘How stacked is he!?’
‘This has been chucked at me last minute. I’m just at the gym so I’ll do my best. Robbie Knox as a drinking partner: always pays his way, occasionally drinks some kind of fruity, c***** lager but he does his best, often palms his kids off with people so he can carry on drinking, and he always loves one more for the road so he gets sucked in with that all the time.
‘Anyway, he’s a great drinking partner. Have a great day.’
Knox appeared pretty happy with the endorsement from his friend, but the rest of the Soccer A-Z team were more focused on Huckerby’s amazing change in physique.
‘How stacked is he by the way?!’ asked an astonished Tubes.
‘He’s constantly at the gym, he’s always exercising,’ replied Knox.
It has been some transformation from Huckerby, who was largely known for being a pacy forward with an eye for goal during his career.
Huckerby came through the ranks at Newcastle, before going on to play for multiple Premier League clubs.
He scored 38 goals in 202 Premier League games, and also earned a single cap for England Under 21s.
Huckerby finished his playing career in America at San Jose in 2009. In the 15 years since, he appears to have dedicated much of his time to getting into incredible shape, and his new look certainly impressed the Soccer A-Z podcast team.