Jadon Sancho, the former England winger, joining non-league Flixton just months after his release from Manchester United feels like the setup for an April Fool’s joke.
However, after he was seen training at the North West Counties club, social media buzzed with speculation that, despite its improbability, something might be in the works.
In response, Flixton felt it necessary to clarify the situation, issuing a statement to downplay any potential association with Sancho, who cost Manchester United £73 million in 2021.
“To clarify, Jadon was not on trial with the club and was not involved in any transfer discussions,” Flixton stated in an announcement on Instagram.
“He simply utilized our facilities for a private training session to maintain his fitness as he prepares for the next chapter of his career.”
At 26, Sancho is currently a free agent after his contract with United came to an end in June.
Following a fallout with then-manager Erik ten Hag three years ago, he was loaned to Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, but returned to United each time.
Sancho, known for scoring in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League final win in 2025 and contributing to Aston Villa’s Europa League victory last season, received praise from Flixton for being “nothing but professional, humble, and generous with his time.”
They added: “After completing his session, he eagerly interacted with young fans, took photos, signed autographs, and left a positive impression on everyone who met him.”
“Jadon is a world-class footballer with achievements beyond the dreams of many players. He deserves recognition for his accomplishments and the way he conducted himself during his visit, rather than the unwarranted criticism that has surrounded him.”
Sancho, who began his career as a youth player at Manchester City before moving to Dortmund in 2017, expressed gratitude to the club in a video with Flixton manager Alex Mortimer. “You’ve got a lovely setup, I must say,” Sancho remarked during his first visit, adding with a smile, “It’s the first time I’ve seen such a nice pitch—aside from United and City.”