When Andrew Driver found himself out of contract at Aberdeen at the end of the season, he knew where to turn to for advice on his next move – Football Manager.
Before his recent stint at Pittodrie, Driver had spent two seasons in the United States with Houston Dynamo, but felt he needed a fresh challenge.
He eventually decided upon Eredivisie side De Graafschap. It may have seemed like something of a risky move for a 27-year-old entering his peak years.
But the former England Under-21 man knew the club inside out, largely thanks to his favourite football management simulation game. Well, obviously.
“I’ve always played Football Manager on the computer, so I knew the club and I know that it is a good club,” explained Driver, speaking to Omroep Gelderland.
Thankfully for our intrepid footballer/gamer, life has very much imitated pixels at his new club.
“I’ve also noticed that in the two weeks I’ve been here, it is a nice environment to work in,” said Driver. “I’m really enjoying myself here and I’m happy to have signed a contract.”
Let that be a lesson to all the youngsters out there hoping to one day make it as a professional footballer – keyboard skills matter just as much as kick-ups.
