NILE RANGER has found a new club just days after being mysteriously axed by Kettering Town.
The former Premier League bad boy had been plying his trade for the Southern League Premier Division Central (step seven of English football) side after two years away from the beautiful game.
There he appeared to have found his feet again, scoring 18 goals in all competitions including a memorable stoppage time winner over Northampton Town in the FA Cup first round in 2024.
However, last week he was abruptly cut loose from the non-league outfit, despite a club statement saying the forward’s exit was by “mutual consent”.
A Poppies statement said: “The club wishes Nile every success in his playing career and Nile knows he has a family that would always welcome him back to Latimer Park.”
Club owner George Akhtar also extended his personal thanks to Ranger, who was the joint top scorer in the Southern League Premier Division Central at the time of his departure with six goals in 10 games.
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But Ranger, now 34, sparked bewilderment when he retweeted fan speculation on social media suggesting his exit was anything but mutual.
Regardless, four days after, Ranger has already landed himself a new club just seven minutes down the road in the form of Wellingborough Town.
Wellingborough play in the Northern Premier League, Midland Division (step eight of English football).
A club statement announcing the news said: “Wellingborough Town are pleased to announce the signing of forward Nile Ranger…
“Everyone at the club is excited to have Nile on-board and are looking forward to utilising his experience and pedigree.”
Fans were delighted with the move, with one saying on social media: “Showing ambition. Love to see it.”
A second said: “Fantastic signing for the club – a proper sign of intent . If you can get him firing on all cylinders, he will be a huge difference maker.”
Another fan added: “I think most Kettering fans are just speechless at this point.”
Ranger made his debut for the Dough Boys at the weekend against Coleshill Town, but was unable to help his new club avoid a 1-0 defeat.
The ex-England youth star came through the ranks at Newcastle and was tipped for stardom, but unfortunately could not stay out of trouble which included several run-ins with the law.
He once served time in a young offenders’ institute when he was a teenager for his role in an armed robbery.
And Ranger was later jailed in January 2017 for eight months after being convicted of online banking fraud, with the player being released after 10 weeks.
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