GARY LINEKER has selected a forgotten Prem star to play in his new Baller League team.
The Match of the Day host takes charge of ‘Deportrio’ in the tournament alongside his Beeb colleagues Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.
Lineker, 64, joined Richards and Shearer at the Baller League Draft on Monday night.
The new six-a-side league kicks off later this month, with twelve star-studded teams entered in total.
A host of former pros and A-listers from the social media world attended the glittering event at London’s Copper Box Arena.
Ian Wright and Luis Figo are among the other captains, along with reality TV presenter Maya Jama.
Lineker’s team were handed the seventh overall pick in the draft.
And the trio opted to go for former Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Brom star Bakary Sako.
The 36-year-old played over 100 times for Wolves before joining Palace in 2015.
He spent three seasons in the top-flight at Selhurst Park, scoring 8 times in 50 games.
Sako left for the Baggies in 2018 but returned to Palace for another stint a year later.
He has since played for clubs in Cyprus, France and Greece.
The Ballers League has proved a huge hit in Germany.
The UK version will feature 12 teams – each with 12 players -competing in 15-minute halves.
In the final three minutes, the match transforms into a quickfire three-a-side format, with goalkeepers unable to use their hands.
Over 160 players were available in Monday’s draft, with matches to be shown live on Sky Sports from March 24.
Baller League CEO, Felix Starck explained: “Baller League is a brand new way to consume football.
“We’re redefining how the game is played by bringing an exhilarating and authentic approach to football, and one that will appeal to current fans along with future generations.
“Baller League is all about forward-thinking, aggressive, hyper-exciting football.
“We’re about creating a version of the game that’s impossible to ignore – thrilling, bold and packed with excitement.”
What are the Baller League rule?
THE Baller League promises to be “exciting
But what are the rules?
Matches will be played in a six-a-side format on an smaller indoor pitch.
Each half set to last 15 minutes.
Shock rule twists to be introduced for the final three minutes of each half including a three vs three format, long-range goals counting as double, and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands.
These rule twists for the final three minutes will be randomised.
MLS style one-vs-one penalties to be used.
12 teams in the league with the top four going through to the playoffs.
League set to start in March 2025, with the final four play-off in May to crown the winner.
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