Forgotten former Premier League star selected in new Baller League – which includes John Terry and Ian Wright as managers

A former Premier League cult hero has been selected in round one of the new Baller League draft which was held on Monday night. 

The Baller League is a new weekly indoor football tournament coming to the UK for the first time – with former legends such as Ian Wright and John Terry and YouTube stars including TBJZL and Miniminter managing the teams.

12 teams play in six-a-side matches, with the top four teams in the league advancing to the play-off final in May, where the competition’s inaugural champion will be decided.

It will be similar in format to that of  Gerard Pique’s Kings League from Spain and Germany’s version of the Baller League.

Now, a former Premier League cult hero has been selected for the competition as he was picked in the first round. 

Bakary Sako, who appeared for Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, made 47 appearances for the Eagles across two spells in south London. 

Bakary Sako, who appeared for Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, made 47 appearances for the Eagles across two spells in south London

The league started in a disused plane hanger in Cologne but has now branched out overseas

Sako, now 36, was selected seventh overall in the draft by Deportrio – the team managed by Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards. 

During his playing career, the winger also made 118 appearances for Wolves and appeared in five matches for their Black Country rivals West Brom. 

Sako’s selection comes after presenter Maya Jama and Juventus forward Alisha Lehmann were announced as the latest managers ahead of the launch of the Baller League.

Lehmann, who plays for Juventus, had previously been involved in the first season of the Baller League in Germany in 2023.

The Swiss footballer and former Germany and Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski had been the managers of ‘Streets United’, who won the inaugural season.

The league started in a disused plane hanger in Cologne but has now branched out overseas.

The six-a-side league will take place every Monday until mid-May with 12 teams involved and each match will be live-streamed alongside a weekly show by YouTubers.