Darren Huckerby sent in a video for the Soccer A-Z podcast(Image: Youtube/ Soccer A-Z)

Premier League cult hero looks unrecognisable after incredible body transformation

The former Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester City forward is in phenomenal shape despire being retired for more than a decade and the forward achieved cult-hero status in the Premier League

by · The Mirror

Premier League cult hero Darren Huckerby appears to be thriving in his retirement and looks unrecogniseable from his playing days.

Long gone is the trademark spiky hair and instead a shredded, bearded veteran of the game has emerged that left former Soccer AM and Youtube star Tubes stunned. 'How stacked is he by the way?!', the football and golf enthusiast remarked when presented with a present day video of the former Newcastle, Manchester City and Norwich forward.

His new look has an easy explanation. "He's constantly at the gym, he's always exercising," replied Robbie Knox, who along with Soccer AM legends Tubes, Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlin have reuinted to launch a podcast.

Huckerby remains a Norwich City club ambassador and has previously coached within their academy. The former striker netted 140 goals in his career that spanned from Lincoln City to the likes of Coventry, Leeds and San Jose Earthquakes.

The speedy striker enjoyed a number of stints in the Premier League with his most productive season seeing 15 strikes for Coventry. The 48-year-old helped Manchester City get promoted to the division with 26 goals in 2001/02.

Huckerby sent in a video to the Soccer A-Z podcast as the show's hosts came up with their best words beginning with the letter 'D'. The likes of 'Diving, 'Di Canio' and 'Dubious goals panel' came up and 'Darren Huckerby' was put forward..

"Morning Soccer AM legends, Darren Huckerby here," the message started as the ex-footballer filled the screen. "This has been chucked at me last minute. I'm just at the gym so I'll do my best.

Darren Huckerby and Robbie Knox( Image: X/@DHucks6)
Darren Huckerby has remained in good shape following his playing career( Image: X/@DHucks6)

"Robbie Knox as a drinking partner: always pays his way, occasionally drinks some kind of fruity, c***** lager but he does his best, often palms his kids off with people so he can carry on drinking, and he always loves one more for the road so he gets sucked in with that all the time. Anyway, he's a great drinking partner. Have a great day."

While perhaps better remembered for his time at Coventry, Manchester City and Norwich, Huckerby played Masters football for Leeds.

Darren Huckerby celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Birmingham City and Norwich City( Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Two years after retiring the striker scored eight goals in the Yorkshire Masters for his old club before adding sic more in the Grand Masters final to finish as the golden boot winner with Leeds finishing as runners-up losing 8–3 to Rangers in the final.

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