Forgotten Scotland and Premier League star once touted as ‘good enough for Real Madrid’ left unemployed aged 34

A decade ago, his manager was telling the midfield ace he was good enough to play for Real Madrid.

Now, he finds himself without a club at the age of 34 having just suffered relegation.

Big things were expected of Liam Bridcutt as he made his way through the ranks at Chelsea, where he captained the reserve team.

Brought into the first team fold as an 18-year old in 2007, the midfielder would never make a first team appearance at Stamford Bridge.

He moved to Brighton in the summer of 2010 on a short-term deal and the move proved to be the making of him.

After impressing boss Gus Poyet, he ended up spending four years on the south coast, twice being named Player of the Year.

In January 2013, plenty of big clubs were circling especially after Bridcutt inspired his then-Championship side to an FA Cup win over Newcastle United.

Poyet said at the time: “If I was coach of Real I would take him because he deserves to go to the highest level.

“As a holding midfielder, there is no better player in the division. So he is quite expensive.”

Bridcutt’s superb form didn’t go unnoticed, and he attracted the attention of Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.

Bridcutt qualified to play for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born grandfather and he was called-up for the first time in March 2013.

He subsequently made his international debut in the World Cup qualifier against Serbia, a match that ended in a 1-0 defeat.

Bridcutt had to wait three years for his next cap, which came in 2016 after he regained good club form at Leeds United.

That appearance came in in Scotland’s 1-0 win friendly win over Denmark – a match that proved to be his second and final cap.

He didn’t play for Scotland again despite getting his big break in the English Premier League.

Bridcutt followed Poyet to Sunderland for £4million in January 2014.

He played regularly for the Black Cats but that changed after Poyet’s sacking and he was sent out on loan to Leeds in 2015, as mentioned.

That move became permanent a year later and Bridcutt would never play in the Premier League again.

After leaving Elland Road, Bridcutt continued in the Championship with Nottingham Forest before dropping down to League One with Bolton and then Lincoln.

Bridcutt was released by Lincoln in the summer of 2022 and spent several months without a club.

He was finally snapped-up by Blackpool at the end of September, earning a surprise return to the Championship.

However, he made just four appearances – the last coming all the way back in October – and couldn’t prevent Blackpool’s relegation to League One.

Bridcutt, now 34, finds himself without a club having been released by the Seasiders.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page