Little Mix star finally ends Saudi 'hell' as husband signs for Wayne Rooney
Plymouth have landed the signing of Andre Gray with Wayne Rooney moving to bring in the free agent after his Saudi experience with his wife, formerly of Little Mix, likely thrilled by his return
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorAndre Gray has returned to English football with Plymouth landing the striker on a short-term deal - bringing an end to his popstar wife's "hell".
The striker will be at Home Park until at least January having been looking for a club since the summer. Gray, previously a Championship winner with Burnley, left Saudi Pro League side Al-Riyadh and was waiting on his next move before Wayne Rooney came calling with the England legend looking to bolster his forward ranks early in the season.
The Pilgrims moved for the ex-Watford man after it was confirmed Muhamed Tijani would likely to be out until the New Year following a hamstring injury. Gray brings with him a wealth of quality having excelled in the top two tiers of English football. He's risen through the leagues having previously played in non-league with Luton before going on to be a leading light at Brentford, the Clarets and Watford.
Rooney said upon signing the 33-year-old: "Andre is a striker of real quality and has played and scored goals at the highest level. He will provide competition in forward areas as we head into a busy period of the season and I am really happy to have him here." Back in 2016 Gray was named the best player in the Championship as he scored more than twenty times for Burnley en route to them landing the second tier title. His recent move to Saudi was a lucrative one, reportedly earning him a six-figure sum on a weekly basis.
His wife, Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock, struggled with his switch though as she chose to remain in the UK to focus on her solo career. It left the couple, who have children together, having to do their marriage long distance which took its toll. The 32-year-old previously explained: "We have a long distance relationship. He lives in Saudi, he plays football there. So for the last two years we've been apart, basically, seeing each other for maybe two days a month. It's been hell to be honest."
Pinnock though admitted she knew what the deal was by being with Gray. "That's the thing about being with a footballer, you don't know where you're going to be," she said. "I can't move with him anywhere because obviously I can't have a career where he's going to go. I have to be local to home."
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