Former Liverpool favorite still playing at 41 as he looks for 'last chapter' in career

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is aiming to “write one last chapter” in his career after being released by Villarreal.

The 41-year-old is on the lookout for a new club after it was confirmed he will leave the Spanish side at the end of his contract. Reina returned to Villarreal in 2022, having first played for the club before his 2005 move to Liverpool.

Reina brought up his 1,000th career appearance last year, while playing 12 times during the 2023/24 campaign. Despite turning 42 in August, he isn’t ready to hang up his gloves just yet.

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"It's not easy to say goodbye to what has been, is and will always be my home," Reina said as his departure was confirmed.

"Now I need to find the place that will help me write the last chapter, feeling very prepared and motivated to do so."

Reina was signed by Liverpool in 2005, fresh from the Reds’ Champions League triumph in Istanbul. He played 394 times for the Reds, keeping 177 clean sheets in the process and winning the Premier League Golden Glove on three occasions.

He left Anfield in 2014 following a spell on loan with Napoli, spending a short time at Bayern Munich before returning to the Italian side in 2015. Reina also turned out for the AC Milan, Aston Villa and Lazio, having started his career at Barcelona.

Liverpool.com says: Best of luck to Reina on finding a new club. He’ll always hold a special place in the heart of Liverpool fans, having played such a big role in Rafa Benitez’s side during the 2000s.

With Adrian seemingly eyeing up a return to Spain, perhaps he could even swap places with Reina and the latter could return to Anfield, filling the same senior role his compatriot has over the last few years. It’s perhaps an unlikely venture, and Reina sounds like he might still have his heart set on playing at least semi-regularly, but it might not be the worst of options.