You WON'T BELIEVE that these 12 footballers are now playing in the second tier of the top five leagues

Sorry, the Championship doesn't count, because it is much more competitive and star-studded than any other second tier. However, these footballers are playing in some of the lesser-known second tier leagues- namely Serie B, LaLiga Hypermotion, 2. Bundesliga, and Ligue 2 BKT. And you won't believe who's playing in them- you've got some absolute legends and cult heroes.

1. Martin Braithwaite the goat (Espanyol, LaLiga Hypermotion)

Martin Braithwaite the goat celebrates scoring a goal for Espanyol. Source: PAU BARRENA/ AFP via Getty Images

Yes, the goat Braithwaite is now playing in the second division of Spanish football with Espanyol. Goathwaite remained in the Espanyol squad after their relegation in 2023- amazing loyalty, shows even more why he's the goat. Braithwaite was Barcelona's best ever signing (ha), replacing striker Luis Suarez. Best of all, he played for MIDDLESBROUGH. I'm not sure why Martin Braithwaite was signed by Barca, but he's been banging in the goals lately for Espanyol, scoring 20 goals so far this season. THAT'S WHY HE'S DA GOAT, DA GOAAAAAT!

2. Kenedy (Real Valladolid, LaLiga Hypermotion)

Remember Kenedy? Yep, he's another Chelsea flop. The Flamengo winger signed for Chelsea in June 2015, but then it all went wrong. Five loans and a discriminatory video to China later (look it up in Wikipedia), Kenedy was sold to LaLiga 2 side Real Valladolid, where he scored 2 goals in 29 matches. Ha ha ha ha ha? The goat Braithwaite scored 10 times more.

3. Luca Zidane (Eibar, LaLiga Hypermotion)

Luca giving instructions to his teammates playing for SC Eibar. Source: Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

You're right, Luca is Zinedine Zidane's son. Weirdly enough, Luca plays as a goalkeeper- for Messi-owned Eibar. He developed at Real Madrid's academy, making two senior appearances, before playing for Racing Santander and Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish second division. He now plays for Eibar and is their starting goalkeeper, having a 71.2 percent save percentage and conceding a penalty against the goat Martin Braithwaite.

4. Keita Balde (Espanyol, LaLiga Hypermotion)

Keita was one of the most exciting center forwards in Europe in 2018, when he was playing for Lazio and signing for Monaco for 30 million. He was a former Barcelona academy graduate. After 137 appearances for Lazio, Balde made the switch to Monaco, tasked with replacing Kylian Mbappe. He was impressive, scoring 8 goals, which earned him a loan move to Inter. There he scored a key goal to send Inter to the Champions League, but since then it all went downhill. After moves to Sampdoria, Cagliari, and Sparta Moskva, Keita now plays for Espanyol- alongside Martin Braithwaite the goat. He is yet to score after 20 appearances this season. That's what you get for competing for Goathwaite.

5. Santi Cazorla (Real Oviedo, LaLiga Hypermotion)

Santi Cazorla in action for Real Oviedo. Source: La Razón

There are less and less players like this, still playing in a world of hyperenergetic football. Real magicians. And the definition of a magician, right here. Santi Cazorla. Capable of mind-bending assists, majestic free kicks, and orchestrating the field of play, Cazorla became an Arsenal legend after several seasons of magic and a key free kick that helped Arsenal break their trophy drought and win the FA Cup 3-2 against Hull City. Since then, he played for Villarreal and Al Sadd, before signing for his boyhood club Real Oviedo and still pulling off man-of-the-match performances. He reportedly even wanted to play for free but was not allowed to. What a guy. Mikel Arteta, one final swansong?

6. Jean-Phillipe Gbamin (Dunkerque, Ligue 2 BKT)

Ah yes, Everton's glass man. Jean-Phillipe Gbamin was a masterclass signing by Moshiri's Everton, and $30 million went down the drain for the Ivorian midfielder. Signed from Mainz, Gbamin suffered multiple leg injuries during his time at Everton, only making six appearances over four years, en route to a loan at CSKA Moskva. As fragile as you can get from a footballer. He is now playing football injury-free at French Ligue 2 outfit Dunkerque, where he made 20 appearances and scored twice.

7. Gael Kakuta (Amiens, Ligue 2 BKT)

Kakuta on the ball for Amiens. Source: Icon Sport

This guy had quite the journeyman career. Gael Kakuta was one of the brightest young talents in France, and signed for Chelsea in 2009. Even Didier Drogba was impressed, he made Kakuta his protege. Guess what, he flopped. 6 loans later, Kakuta signed permanently for Sevilla, then signed for Hebei FC of the Chinese Super League. After that, he played for Rayo Vallecano, Amiens, and Lens, before returning to Amiens in 2022. He made 21 appearances this season, scoring 5 goals and making 1 assist. Chelsea = flop.

8. Christos Tzolis (Fortuna Dusseldorf, 2. Bundesliga)

Unlike a lot of players on this list, Tzolis is only 22. He is one of Greek football's biggest talents. However, it's a bit surprising that he's playing in the second division. Tzolis signed for Norwich after his impressive performances for PAOK. He was loaned to FC Twente, before being loaned to 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf this year, where he has been absolutely tearing it up, scoring 19 goals and making 6 assists in 29 matches, joint-second on the top goalscorers chart. Norwich will definitely consider bringing him back- he will tear it up in the Prem if Norwich win the championship play offs.

9. Lewis Holtby (Holstein Kiel, 2. Bundesliga)

You can't not like this guy. Lewis Holtby emerged as a talented midfielder, and he signed for Tottenham in 2013. He failed to make a huge impact, but became a Hamburg legend, appearing 127 times and scoring 14 goals. He then signed for Blackburn Rovers before joining 2. Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel. This season, he became the nucleus of the team, scoring 4 goals and providing 7 assists. Holstein Kiel is promoted to the Bundesliga, so watch him flourish for one last time next year. Reunion with Kane and Dier in Kiel v Bayern? We will be there.

10. Patrick Cutrone (Como, Serie B)

Patrick Cutrone controls the ball for Como. Source: Emilio Andreoli-Getty Images

Remember Cutrone? People's been saying that he will be the man to send AC Milan to the very top. Cutrone had the potential to become one of the best in the world. However, after his transfer to Wolves, it all went downhill. After loans to Fiorentina, Valencia, and Empoli, Cutrone signed for his hometown club Como in 2022. This season, he scored 14 goals for Como in the Serie B, and he has been banging in goals for my Como career mode as well. Possible revival?

11. Fabio Borini (Sampdoria, Serie B)

Unlike Cutrone, Borini is an established Premier League cult hero. He was signed in 2007 by- you guessed it, Chelsea. However, he became another flop. He then signed for Liverpool after playing for Swansea City and Roma. The next season, he went on loan to Sunderland and returned there after a year back at Liverpool. He then spent two years at Sunderland before signing for AC Milan, where he was underwhelming. Stints at Hellas Verona and Turkish outfit Faith Karamguruk followed. Now, he plays for Sampdoria, under Andrea Pirlo. He scored 9 goals and made 3 assists this season in 22 appearances.

12. Emiliano Viviano (Ascoli, Serie B)

Emiliano Viviano makes a save for Ascoli. Source: IMAGO images

And finally, we have the player who has the weirdest career out of everyone- and Borini's teammate at Karamguruk- goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano. Having signed for Inter Milan and Arsenal on loan, Viviano failed to make any appearances for the giants. He was still a solid goalkeeper for Bologna and Sampdoria before being signed by Karamguruk in 2020, where he played with Borini. This season, he signed for Ascoli of Serie B. He made 27 appearances, kept 9 clean sheets, and received 2 red cards- same as his shirt number. Yep, he really wears the number 2 as a goalkeeper. Insane huh?

It's insane that these footballers are now playing in a second division. Some of them were tipped to be great but fell off hard. Some of them are balling it out and reviving their careers here. Some of them returned to their boyhood clubs after a majestic career. Anyway, the second divisions of European football aren't as bad as you think- the teams are very competitive and some of the former stars/future stars of world football still play there.