Peter Crouch says he "liked the idea of living in Australia" as Sydney FC show interest

Peter James Crouch. An English former professional footballer. Crouch played as a striker. For England, he was capped 42 times between 2005 - 2010. He netted 22 goals for his country in that time and featuring at two World Cups. The Englishman holds the record for the most headed goals in the history of Premier League. He played for several English clubs such as Stoke City, Burnley, Liverpool among others. Photo of Crouch: LeoMason/PopperFoto via Getty

Recently-retired Crouch, 39, revealed A-League club Sydney FC held talks with him about a potential move down under in his Sportsmail  column, where he answers questions sent by members of the public.


He was asked: 'Were you tempted to play abroad and did you get any firm offers?'

The towering ex-Liverpool and Tottenham striker said he was happy to live in Australia but the move never came about in the end.

"There were a few offers,' said Crouch. "Sydney FC made an approach late in my career.

"I liked the idea of living in Australia but it never materialised."

Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A were also on the cards at some stage, while he also thinks Wayne Rooney scuppered a move to DC United for him.

"When I was at Liverpool, Villarreal were interested and Pepe Reina told me it would be a good move (maybe he knew Fernando Torres was on his way!)," he added.

"Sampdoria and Genoa were both possibilities at one stage, too, as was DC United.

"There was one caveat. ‘They are thinking of signing Wayne Rooney,’ I was told.

‘They’ll never get him,’ I thought. Next thing I knew, Wayne was in Washington and I was destined to stay at home.

2.01 metres-tall Crouch holds the Premier League record for most headed goals.

In addition to the Reds and Spurs, he played for Aston Villa, Southampton, Portsmouth, Stoke City and most recently Burnley in England's top flight.

He scored an impressive 22 goals in 42 caps for England, featuring prominently at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.