A non-league club has signed a former Premier League and World Cup star in a sensational coup.
St. Helens FC plays in the North West Counties Football League, the ninth tier of English football.
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The Merseyside-based club have now shown serious ambitions to climb up the pyramid as they announced the arrival of former Swansea City striker Jefferson Montero.
Montero joins from Ecuadorian club Club Deportivo Tumbaco AV25, owned by Antonio Valencia.
A bizarre connection between Valencia and St Helens FC sporting director Mark Hayes led to Montero’s move.
Despite the strange nature given Montero’s pedigree and St Helens FC’s position in the English pyramid, Hayes stressed that the deal was not a “publicity stunt”.
“With SMS Pro Soccer, I work with Antonio Valencia’s academy in Ecuador, AV25, and Jefferson played there,” Hayes said.
“There is some incredible talent at AV25, they have seen three promotions in three years.”
“However, we were lucky enough to be able to sign the former Premier League and LaLiga player!”
“This is not a publicity stunt. Jefferson is still hungry having only recently stopped playing and is exactly what St Helens FC needs for the second half of the season.”
Montero arrives after making 84 appearances for the Swans, including 66 in the Premier League.
The 35-year-old proved to be a reliable asset on Swansea’s left flank, scoring two goals and 14 assists.
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Before joining Swansea in 2014, Montero had spells with Villarreal, Real Betis and Levante in Spain.
Montero remained at Swansea until June 2020, eventually finding a new home with Mexican club Queretaro in November.
This was followed by stints at AD 9 de Octubre and SD Aucas before joining the Valencia club in 2024.
Montero also shone on the international stage for Ecuador, earning 64 caps and scoring ten goals.
The 35-year-old started all three of Ecuador’s games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as the South American country faced Switzerland, Honduras and France.
Despite picking up four points from their three games, Montero and his Ecuadorian teammates failed to progress from Group E.
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Montero also played the full 90 minutes in each of Ecuador’s three games at the 2015 Copa America, but the results were less than encouraging as defeats to Chile and Bolivia saw the world-ranked nation 24th exit in the group stage .
The 35-year-old is moving to St. Helens FC. The club finished eighth out of 24 teams in the North West Counties Football League.
St Helens FC have 49 points, four ahead of fifth-placed West Didsbury and Chorlton, who occupy the final play-off place.