Former Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom has joined Irish club Derry City - four years after he was stabbed in an "unprovoked assault" by a masked gang. Wisdom was attacked by four masked men carrying knives as he made his way back to his car after visiting a family member in 2020. Although the defender returned to action for Derby County the following season, he later admitted he "wasn't the same" player and subsequently spent two years out of the game.
He made a comeback in the National League North with Warrington Town last year, but his move to Derry now means Wisdom is once again a professional footballer. The 31-year-old was once among Liverpool's brightest prospects, having been signed from Bradford at the age of 14. He went on to make 22 first-team appearances for the Reds and earned 10 caps for England's under-21s.
He is now simply "proud" to still be playing football after such a horrific attack, telling BBC Sport : "The will was always there, but it felt like it wasn't the way at times. Perseverance, mindset, keeping going. You've got to keep training.
It's led me here. I'm quite proud of myself for getting back into full-time football. I can now say again I have a job.
"I always say why not? Any opportunity is a good opportunity, especially in football. I've had a while out of football because of things that happened off the pitch. I'm fit, raring to go, I've done a full pre-season and I'm grateful for the opportunity.
" Reflecting on his recovery, Wisdom insisted he.