Former England international Jonjo Shelvey has traded the Premier League for the obscurity of the UAE Second Division League, revealing his main motivation was not money, but a desire to get his children out of England.
The ex-Newcastle and Liverpool midfielder, now captain of Arabian Falcons, dismissed claims he moved for a massive pay-day, stating the league’s standard wage is only about £2,000-a-month.
“There’s no money in the UAE Second Division League,” the 33-year-old said, explaining that his brother earns more in a London hotel.
Shelvey chose the move, brokered by a childhood friend and Falcons manager, Harry Agombar, for a “fresh start” and due to concerns over security in the UK.
“I don’t want my children growing up in England any more,” he stated. “Where I’m from, originally, you can’t have nice things in my opinion. I’d never wear a watch in London any more. You can’t have your phone out in London, in my view.”
Despite his departure, Shelvey spoke warmly of his long spell at Newcastle United, calling the North East “the only place there he would want to live” in the UK and praising the “love” he found at the club.
The veteran is now combining playing for the Falcons with studying for his Uefa A Licence coaching qualification, but admits he fears a bad injury would prompt him to “call it a day.”
