From Real Madrid to Alania Vladikavkaz. That's Royston Drenthe's career trajectory.
The Dutchman has finally found himself a club after months as a free agent.
Drenthe, 25, had been on loan at Goodison Park in 2011/12 from Real Madrid, but faded after a promising start.
He fell out with manager David Moyes, who chose not to make the winger's move permanent, even though he could have picked him up on a free.
He has though found a home, just in time for Christmas, with Russian club Alania Vladikavkaz.
Alania have recently been promoted to the Russian Premier League and are looking to make a big impression.
Let's hope for Drenthe's sake he can help them do that and get his career back on track.
image: © juanjaen
Dan Coombs
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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.
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