No Club, insists he has a lot to offer, But where next?

The curious story of Joe Ledley's mysterious summer as ex-Cardiff City and Celtic star continues search for new club and where next?


Has trained with Cardiff, thinks about Celtic and still believes he has a lot to offer, but still No club?

Tuesday 25th September 2019


The Wales midfielder remains in limbo

Where now for Joe Ledley?



The Wales midfielder remains in limbo

When Joe Ledley sat down with WalesOnline back in May to discuss his future, he appeared confident that his exile from the game was close to coming to an end.

The 32-year-old has previously ruled out retirement, and clearly believes he still has something to offer, but he remains no closer to lacing up his boots again.

Ledley has been without a club since leaving Derby County by mutual consent nearly a year ago, and initial optimism over his future is now surely being pushed to the limit.

Interestingly, it's worth noting that this situation has emerged against the backdrop of a busy summer, albeit one filled with rumours, speculations and half-truths.

A post on Ledley's official Twitter page towards the end of June sent speculation into overdrive, but three months on one of Welsh football's finest servants in the modern era is still searching for the start of that new chapter.

The move to Fortuna - why it didn't work out

Just days after that Twitter post - and much to the disappointment of those hoping for a glorious homecoming - news emerged that Ledley was on the verge of a surprise move to Dutch side Fortuna Sittard, a side that had just narrowly avoided relegation from the top flight.

To see a player of Ledley's quality linked with a side with the smallest wage budget in the Eredivisie raised a fair number of eyebrows over there, but the Welshman is understood to have been very keen on the move, following talks with the club's top brass and even a tour round the stadium.

Local sources claim even Fortuna were surprised by the level of his interest shown from the player, although as Voetbal International journalist Geert-Jan Jakobs explains, there was more to Ledley's thinking than simply finding somewhere to play football.

"He was looking to try to start a career in coaching after his football days were over and that's why he wanted to look in Holland," he said.

"He was thinking about his life after football. He would like to play somewhere where he could develop himself as a coach and as a manager. That was part of the talks with Fortuna - that he would be able to become a youth coach or just gain some experience in the club."


Back to square one

Talk of the move to Fortuna rumbled on for much of July, but as the month progressed it all began to look increasingly unlikely.

Coach Sjoerd Ars began to pour cold water on the idea, labelling Ledley as a "difficult story".

Ultimately, the financial realities of a move proved too much.

"They were very positive that they could get him but in the end they decided that he was just too expensive," Jakobs adds.

"His salary was just too big to make it happen."

As July drew to a close, any lingering hopes of a move to the Dutch strugglers had seemingly evaporated.





The mystery in Cyprus

The potential move to Fortuna may have raised eyebrows, but it was arguably nothing compared to what happened next.

Inside the second week of August it emerged Ledley was training with Cypriot side Pafos FC, a team that had clearly set its sights on big ambitions.

Reports suggested that a move to the island could well be on the cards. Ledley was even pictured in the team's kit, having trained with the club for just over a week, and also played in a friendly match against local side Anorthosis.

Many were surprised by the prospect of a one of Welsh football's most beloved darlings plying his trade in such a small league, although the signing of former Crystal Palace team-mate Jason Puncheon, who the club labelled the 'greatest transfer' in their history, made it seem a little more plausible.

Local sports journalist Christos Theocharous explains: "One colleague from Paphos FC told me that nobody knows the reason that he never signed.


"Ledley came to train, he played a friendly match and then one day he left Cyprus."

Despite the lack of clarity, there are theories.

One local source has suggested that Ledley's insistence on more time to get fully fit proved too much of a frustration, although that claim is strongly refuted by insiders at Pafos.

Others have suggested that money and indeed the number of other options available in the heart of the midfield meant Ledley wasn't seen as such an attractive option.

Whatever the reasons, a move never happened, and Ledley now appears to be back to square one.


Ledley was recently pictured at a charity event at the Cardiff City Stadium (Image: Instagram: joshandrews1)
What's next?




That's the big question.

The summer has been underpinned by almost constant links to a dream return to boyhood club Cardiff, despite Neil Warnock playing down any potential interest.

"I think Joe has been mentioned a few times over the last couple of years," Warnock said.

"I think Joe is a super guy, really did well for me at Crystal Palace, but I've not made any enquiries for Joe at the minute."

When the player was toying with the move to the Netherlands it's believed Fortuna chiefs were made aware of interest from the Championship, but it remains to be seen if that remains the case.

Despite Ledley's insistence that he still has something to offer on the pitch, it's hardly a surprise to learn that he's been thinking about life beyond his playing career, meaning that any interested party may well have to offer a potential opportunity to get on the ladder should they wish to bring him on board, which would then surely make any negotiations a little more complicated.





Sources close to the player have suggested there is no imminent breakthrough, with Ledley himself back in the UK.

He was even back at the Cardiff City Stadium recently, appearing alongside current Bluebirds favourite Sol Bamba as part of an event for charity Kyle's Goal.

Celtic too have clearly been in his thoughts judging by recent social media activity, but as with City there's little to suggest that a return to Glasgow is realistically on the cards.

Ledley has previously insisted that his ultimate ambition is to get back into the Wales squad.

If that is to become a reality, something will surely have to give soon.

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If Joe is desparate to play then he needs to lower his wage demands which as a free agent he can easily do. I believe league 1 is his level now.

If Joe is desparate to play then he needs to lower his wage demands which as a free agent he can easily do. I believe league 1 is his level now.

With you on both accounts

If Joe is desparate to play then he needs to lower his wage demands which as a free agent he can easily do. I believe league 1 is his level now.

Agreed, if he got match fit he might possibly be OK as a back-up at this level but even so it's clear that it's a money issue with nobody willing to pay what he/his agent wants !

If Joe is desparate to play then he needs to lower his wage demands which as a free agent he can easily do. I believe league 1 is his level now.

Agreed, if he got match fit he might possibly be OK as a back-up at this level but even so it's clear that it's a money issue with nobody willing to pay what he/his agent wants !

At this moment in time Ledley should welcome only pay as you play say for us.

You do make me laugh Annis. You have constantly slagged off Tan who arguably has saved the club with some mistakes on the way I accept. Yet you would happily welcome back someone who has shit on the club from a great height.

Vaulks can hardly get minutes so not sure why anyone thinks a unfit Ledley, no where near the level we need.

Im surprised a league one club hasn't took a gamble on him but I guess he thinks he is better than that

Its got to be his wage demands because I cant believe at the age of 32 and the experience and pedigree he has that someone in the bottom half of the championship or a top league 1 side wouldn't take a punt on him.

Might not just be his wage demands? Hasn’t he just moved back here? Maybe he doesn’t want to uproot his family again if he has one that is. He is in my gym most days and spends a lot if time running, he’s definitely fit but obv not match fit. Where is the nearest league 1 club?

He is in the same boat as Gregg Halford when he left us.

If I remember right Gregg said he didn't want to drop down as he felt he still had something to offer but ended up without a Club and signed for Aberdeen in February, played 2 games and doesn't have a Club again now.

Top end League 1 Club lookinh for Promotion is probably his level as it was for Halford to be honest.

Sadly, Joe is the victim of his own heightened opinion of his worth and the signs of that were there for all to see around the time he left for the (ahem!) Premier League but missed the Stoke turning before ending up in Glasgow

He’d certainly keep the physio company over a season

He’d certainly keep the physio company over a season

Busiest Member of staff at the club

Might not just be his wage demands? Hasn’t he just moved back here? Maybe he doesn’t want to uproot his family again if he has one that is. He is in my gym most days and spends a lot if time running, he’s definitely fit but obv not match fit. Where is the nearest league 1 club?

Well he went to Cyprus for one game so i'm sure he wont mind a couple of hours commute if its an issue.

The experience he could have gained in Holland is priceless.. sounds like the bad angel won.

Sadly, Joe is the victim of his own heightened opinion of his worth and the signs of that were there for all to see around the time he left for the (ahem!) Premier League but missed the Stoke turning before ending up in Glasgow

Don’t you dare!!!! Lol.