Jonjo Shelvey Joins Third-Tier Middle Eastern Side as Ex-England International Heads Abroad Again

Shelvey Signs with Arabian Falcons

Former Newcastle United and Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has completed a move to the Arabian Falcons, a third-tier club in the United Arab Emirates. The 33-year-old joins as a free agent after leaving Burnley in the summer, marking the tenth stop in what has been a long and eventful career.

The Falcons, a club only formed in 2023, announced the signing on Friday. Shelvey wasted no time making his debut, featuring just a day later in a UAE third-tier league clash. It was the Englishman’s first competitive appearance since February, when he played a brief cameo in Burnley’s 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

A Short Stint at Burnley Before UAE Adventure

Newcastle United v Aston Villa – Premier League

Shelvey’s last stop before heading to the Middle East came with Burnley, who picked him up on a short-term deal in January 2025. Despite a handful of appearances, the Clarets opted not to extend his contract beyond the season. A potential move to Hull City fell through, leaving him without a club for several months until the Arabian Falcons opportunity arose.

Now, Shelvey has taken the chance to extend his career overseas once more. While the UAE third tier may be an unusual destination for a player with his Premier League pedigree, the move underlines his desire to keep playing rather than stepping away from the game.

Midfielder’s Career So Far

Shelvey first broke through at Charlton Athletic as a teenager, quickly catching the eye with his vision and long-range passing. After 49 senior appearances, he sealed a high-profile switch to Liverpool in 2010. Though he never quite cemented a regular place at Anfield, he showed flashes of his ability and was capped by England during this period.

In 2013, he joined Swansea City, where his influence grew as a creative midfielder. Three years later, Newcastle United came calling, and it was on Tyneside that Shelvey arguably played his best football. He spent seven years with the Magpies, becoming a fan favourite for his technical ability and combative edge.

After leaving Newcastle in 2023, Shelvey’s career became more nomadic. Spells in Turkey and then Burnley followed, before this latest move to the UAE. The constant changes underline how quickly fortunes can shift for players who once graced the Premier League spotlight.

Shelvey’s Premier League Stature

For many fans, Shelvey will always be remembered as a player who never quite reached the very top but still produced unforgettable moments. His raking passes, occasional spectacular goals, and fiery competitiveness made him a familiar face across a decade of Premier League football.

While he never truly broke into the elite bracket of English midfielders, his 200-plus top-flight appearances and international recognition highlight a career to be respected. At 33, his move to the Arabian Falcons represents another chapter in a story filled with highs, frustrations, and plenty of memorable stops along the way.

What Comes Next

Whether Shelvey’s stay in the UAE will be a brief adventure or a longer spell remains to be seen. For now, he is back on the pitch, continuing to write his own narrative in football’s less conventional corners. Fans of his former clubs may raise eyebrows at his latest move, but few will be surprised that Jonjo Shelvey, a player who has always gone his own way, is still finding new places to leave his mark.