Football
Exclusive: Former Scotland Striker Steven Fletcher Wanted by Qatar Stars League Club Al-Gharafa on Free Transfer
Former Scotland striker Steven Fletcher, released by Wrexham, is being targeted on a free transfer by Qatar Stars League club Al-Gharafa. Fletcher, 38, has experience in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership, with a total of 189 goals in 749 appearances. It is reported that wages are not an issue for Al-Gharafa, who recently signed Mason Holgate. Fletcher is considering a move abroad after departing Wrexham.
Huddersfield Town AFC v Wrexham AFC - Sky Bet League One by Carl Recine | Getty Images
Exclusive: Former Scotland Striker Steven Fletcher Wanted by Qatar Stars League Club Al-Gharafa on Free Transfer
Former Scotland international striker Steven Fletcher has been linked with a move to play in the Qatar Stars League, SportsBoom can exclusively revealed.
The experienced 38-year-old hitman was released by Wrexham last season after helping the Welsh club win promotion to the Championship.
And our sources have now learnt that Qatari club Al-Gharafa have been plotting a move for the former Premier League striker.
The Qatari outfit snapped up former Everton, West Brom and Sheffield United defender Mason Holgate on a free transfer this summer.
And now the Al-Rayyan-based club are trying to get Fletcher on a similar deal, with wages believed to unlikely be a problem.
Fletcher announced with a “heavy heart” that he was forced to leave Wrexham in May having scored eight goals in helping the club claim a famous promotion from League One last term.
The former Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland marksman had been hopeful of agreeing a new deal to stay with the Red Dragons and play for them in their first season in the second tier.
But in a social media post he admitted: "I unfortunately have to announce my departure from what I can only describe as the most magical club I have ever played at!
"In my 22 years of stepping onto a pitch, I have never experienced anything like this club."
PROVEN QUALITY
Fletcher, who scored ten goals in 22 international appearances for his country, has also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Hibernian, Dundee United, Marseille and Stoke City during a varied and distinguished career.
And Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson admitted it was a “tough” decision to let the striker leave as he looked to strengthen his squad with new signings this summer.
“He came in and made a really good contribution for us,” said Parkinson.
“He scored some really important goals and showed great professionalism for us.”
Fletcher enjoyed seven seasons in the Scottish Premiership and no fewer than seven Premier League seasons throughout his career, as well as five years in the English Championship.
He has scored 189 goals in 749 career appearances and is now understood to be weighing up the potential of a move abroad.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.