Petr Cech maintains his switch from football to ice hockey will not impact his current role at Chelsea after signing for British fourth-tier outfit Guildford Phoenix.
The former Czech international goalkeeper ended his playing career at the end of last season with Arsenal before rejoining the Blues as a technical and performance advisor in June.
He said he would play for the Phoenix in his spare time.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to play with the Phoenix to get match experience,” Cech, who will play as a goaltender, said in a statement on the club’s website.
Cech, who played the sport as a youngster before switching to soccer, could make his debut for the Surrey-based side on Sunday when they take on Swindon Wildcats 2.
“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,” Cech added.
“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 maintains his newfound role in ice hockey does not impact his role with Chelsea as Technical and Performance Adviser.
“Some people seem to think I changed my job,” Cech wrote. “No I didn’t. Luckily my job as the Technical and Performance Adviser at Chelsea FC doesn’t stop me in my spare time from playing the game I loved as a kid and which I’ve been playing for years.
“While being a professional footballer I couldn’t play the game for obvious reasons... Now I can.”
Cech spent 11 years as a player at Chelsea, winning 13 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, the Champions League and Europa League, before moving to London rivals Arsenal in 2015.
