Chelsea legend Petr Cech will pick up his gloves once again as he makes a shock return to competitive sport to play professional ice hockey.
The Czech veteran, who announced his retirement from football at the end of last season, will take his place in goal for local side Guildford Phoenix.
The team are based not far from Chelsea's training ground in Cobham, where Cech works as a technical director and performance advisor.
Cech will be allowed to play when his schedule allows him to, and the 37-year-old said he is realising a boyhood dream by playing ice hockey.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to play with the Phoenix to get the match experience," Cech told the club's official website.
"I hope I can help this young team to achieve their goals for the season and try to win as many games as possible when I have the chance to play.
"After 20 years of professional football this is going to be a wonderful experience for me to play the game I loved to watch and play as a kid."
Cech's first appearance comes on Sunday when Swindon Wildcats 2 arrive in town against the former Blues stopper's new team.
Guildford’s head coach Milos Melicherik said the club were "excited" to see Cech - who holds the all-time record for most clean sheets at Chelsea - make his debut.
"We are very excited to have Petr join the Phoenix team and we are looking forward to seeing him in action this weekend," he said.
"He has improved a lot since I first saw him on the ice and I am excited to see him play."
