AFC Rushden & Diamonds sign Billy Sharp after 21 years away

AFC Rushden & Diamonds have announced the signing of Billy Sharp, 21 years after he first played for Rushden & Diamonds.

According to the club, Sharp scored the first of his 299 career goals for Rushden & Diamonds in 2005. Those goals span more than 22 years and include spells with Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers, Southampton and Scunthorpe.

He arrives to provide cover while James Clifton serves a suspension, with Diamonds describing the move as a chance to see him "pull on the shirt one final time".

Sharp could feature when AFC Rushden & Diamonds travel to Burton Albion in the FA Cup first round proper, the first time the club have reached that stage in their history. A limited number of tickets remain available for the tie.