Ex-footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa has once again reiterated his desire to step into a WWE ring, following his retirement from the game at the end of the 2021-22 season. 

The former Wycombe Wanderers striker, who has become a cult hero in football thanks to his larger-than-life personality, and position as the strongest player across the most recent line of FIFA games, has revealed that since retirement he’s looking at a number of options.

Speaking on his plans post-retirement on talkSPORT, the 40-year-old says he’s open to trying as many new things as possible, including possibly moving into the wrestling industry. 

Ive said this numerous times, I am going to try as many different things as possible, just because football is institutionalised, we've done the same thing for 22 years and I'm in a position now where there's doors.So, by the grace of God, the doors will continue to be there, be open and I'll try these different things. LW [Laura Woods] said about the wrestling, that's an option. I don't know, I'll have to try and change the spandex things, though, maybe try and get some packs because I ain't got any at the moment! We've got to see what happens, so watch this space.

Akinfenwa has previously spoke about his desire to pursue a possible move to WWE and revealed in April last year that he had held talks with the company. Even admitting that he’d had the chance to meet The Rock and had a conversation with the People’s Champ about all things WWE.

He wouldn’t be the first football star to try and make the crossover to WWE. Former Crewe and Port Vale goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson signed with WWE in 2014 and made several live event appearances for NXT under the name Hugo Knox, before being released in 2016. 

German goalkeeper Tim Wiese also reportedly signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2014, and even shared the ring with Sheamus and Cesaro during a live event in Munich but left the company three years later.

Switching balls, current WWE Superstar Ridge Holland is perhaps English sports biggest crossover success. The 34-year-old, whose real name is Luke Menzies, played rugby for Championship sides Oldham and Batley Bulldogs before he signed with WWE in 2018.