Ex-Man United and England star is now unrecognisable and a luxury watch dealer after hanging up his boots
- A former Man United star is unrecognisable seven years after his retirement
- The Premier League winner now buys and sells luxury watches for a living
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
A former Man United midfielder has given an interview on his new life as a luxury watch dealer and look unrecognisable from his playing days.
The 38-year-old, who scored twice in eight England appearances, hung up his boots in 2016 after 263 Premier League appearances for United, West Brom, Sunderland, Fulham and Aston Villa.
He won the league and League Cup under Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford as he made 81 first team appearances for the Red Devils despite never being a regular starter.
One of his crowning moments for Sunderland came against his boyhood club Arsenal, as he opened the scoring in a 2-0 win that knocked the Gunners out of the FA Cup.
He ended his career in Championship with Cardiff, where he was released from his contract before Christmas in 2016 after playing just six times.
A former Man United star and England international is unrecognisable after retiring seven years ago
He won the Premier League with the Red Devils in 2007 but left later that year
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The player in question is Kieran Richardson, who has spoken about his new life buying and selling luxury timepieces.
He told the Steven Sulley Study podcast his new business has seen him deal with some of the biggest watchmaking names including Patek Philippe and Rolex, with his most impressive sale bringing in ‘£1.7 million.’
‘You have to make sure you trust your dealer. I find with my background and who I am, people don’t feel I’m going to rump them and run away with £100,000 because I don’t need your £100,000,’ Richardson said of his new business.
‘I get a lot of customers from the trust side and that’s fine. I have a lot of clients but don’t like to tell the big names – I don’t want to open that can of worms, these watches are proper assets.
‘I’m private. I have massive clients, trust me – it’s different if they want to put it out there. I am thinking about people, not the pound notes. Safety.’
The Premier League winner does retain an interest in football, though, and spoke fondly of his time at United.
He named Paul Scholes as ‘the most talented footballer I’ve been around’, while he also praised Ferguson and his one-time captain Roy Keane for ‘getting the best out of me.’
Despite causing heartbreak for Gunners fans all those years ago, Richardson remained an avid fan and was eyeing a season ticket at the Emirates.
Kieran Richardson made over 250 Premier League appearances and now works as a luxury watch dealer
The 38-year-old named Paul Scholes as the best player he played with in his career
Despite knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup with Sunderland in 2012, Richardson remains a fan and was eyeing a season ticket at the Emirates.
Speaking in March, he added: ‘Now as someone not playing, I enjoy being an Arsenal fan, I’m buying a season ticket next season. I don’t think there was a conflict of interests.
‘I am an Arsenal fan but when you play for a club, you aren’t thinking about Arsenal. Whichever club you’re at, that’s the team you are riding for.’
It’s unclear whether Richardson secured his seat in North London, but he will be delighted with a solid start for the Gunners that has seen them win three of their opening four games.
They will next be in action against Everton on Sunday after a week off for the international break.
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
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