Gael Bigirama reveals his struggles after life in the Premier League

"Contrary to popular belief, life as a Premier League footballer is not always a story of players enjoying untold riches after having earned generational wealth for their exploits on the pitch. Money can be squandered, investments can go sour and con artists can look to take advantage of young players looking for guidance after signing that first big contract. One player who suffered from the latter was former Newcastle United midfielder Gael Bigirimana, who has opened up on the financial struggles he suffered when he looked to get his post-St James ' Park career back on track."

"Big things were expected from Bigirimana when Newcastle United snapped him up from Coventry City as a teenager in 2012 after a string of impressive performances for the Sky Blues which had seen him named as the EFL Apprentice of the Year. A bright start for Alan Pardew's side quickly gave way and the Burundi international found himself struggling for first-team minutes with the Magpies, before an unsuccessful loan stint at Rangers and a return to Coventry, first on loan and then permanently in 2016. Spells in Scotland with Motherwell and Hibernian then followed but on the release from the latter at the end of his deal in 2019, he looked to return to a club in England, only to struggle to find suitors and would end up at non-league Solihull Moors, during what he said was one of the hardest' periods of his life."

Gael Bigirimana joined Newcastle United from Coventry City in 2012 after being named EFL Apprentice of the Year. Early promise gave way to limited first-team minutes, an unsuccessful loan at Rangers, and a return to Coventry in 2016. Subsequent spells at Motherwell and Hibernian ended with his release in 2019, leaving him unable to find an English club and eventually signing for non-league Solihull Moors. He faced significant financial struggles and the risk of being taken advantage of while trying to rebuild his career after St James ' Park. A trial in Croatia initially went well and arrangements were agreed.

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