Everton legend Tony Hibbert, 41, opens up on shock transfer to tenth-tier French side after coming out of retirement
EVERTON legend Tony Hibbert has opened up on his shock transfer to a tenth-tier French side.
That’s after coming out of retirement at the age of 40.
Hibbert, who turns 42 this month, played 328 times across 16 seasons for Everton.
And he retired from football at the end of the 2015-16 campaign as a Goodison Park icon.
However, Hibbert has relocated to France after penning a deal with tenth-tier minnows Louzy.
The defender made the shock move a little over a year ago.
And he has now lifted the lid on his decision to play once more.
Hibbert told SoFoot: “[Louzy] is like day and night. That’s what I came for – tranquillity. I’m not here to retire but to do something different, a new experience.
“With my wife, we searched everywhere in France… I know a few people who live not far from Louzy and we decided to try it.
“I’m happy here. We laugh a lot, I enjoy spending lots of time with my children and I take the time to work on my business.”
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According to Louzy president Jerome Archambeau, Hibbert didn’t want any fanfare when he joined in November.
Archambeau added: “He didn’t want any media. He was clear.
“The purpose of him coming here was for a change of scenery and to find peace.
“He didn’t want complete anonymity but he didn’t wish to make the front page of all the newspapers either.
“After we posted on Facebook about his arrival, we were harassed constantly. We both couldn’t take it anymore.
“We received many emails from English supporters, who wanted to buy Louzy jerseys.
“It’s completely crazy.”