
Unemployed former Arsenal star shows off his skills as he takes up shock new sport to play against NATO SOLDIERS
The former Arsenal goalkeeper has left the Hammers after seven years with his contract set to expire.
5
5
5
Fabianski, 40, was a firm fan favourite at the London Stadium, having made 195 Premier League appearances for the club.
He is keeping himself active while unemployed and has taken up BASKETBALL.
The Polish star has signed up to play for Gortat Team in a charity match against a team made up of NATO SOLDIERS.
The match took place to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Poland 's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.
Fabianski could be seen hitting the court, dribbling and shooting the ball.
He was not the only famous footballer to be included in the team either.
Former Borussia Dortmund and Poland international Jakub Błaszczykowski was also pictured lining up with Fabianski.
It was a successful night for Fabianski and Co as his side ran out 67-64 winners at the Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
Fabianski has previously spoken about his love of the American sport and revealed how he got into it.
He said: "I played basketball in primary school, and when Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were winning NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls my interest grew in the sport.
West Ham star Michail Antonio shares footage of himself learning to walk again after escaping death in horror crash
"I started to follow basketball and wanted to be one of them. Playing basketball from an early age with my brothers (Bartek and Arek) has definitely helped me in certain aspects of my football career.
"For a basketball player footwork is very important and also your handling, while the physical training you have to do in basketball is very similar to that of a footballer.
'I've played since then, and I've followed the NBA closely. When I get the chance to shoot some hoops I do it!"
Meanwhile, Fabianski has already rejected a move back to Poland after an offer from Legia Warsaw.
Club sporting director Michal Zewkalow revealed that the veteran stopper wants to stay in England.
He told Sport: 'Lukasz called back two days after my call.
'He said clearly that he is not coming back to Poland.
'For private reasons, he wants to stay in England for a few more years.'
Fabianski played for Arsenal between 2007 and 2014 but only made 32 appearances in the Premier League for the club.
He was never able to pin down the No.1 spot while at the Emirates but proved himself a top goalkeeper at his next club, Swansea City.
The former Polish international spent four years in Wales before joining West Ham following the Swans' relegation to the Championship in 2018.
5
5
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why Son Heung-min is an even bigger Tottenham legend than Harry Kane as South Korean bids emotional farewell after decade in north London
In the same summer that Harry Kane was walking around a golf course with Gary Neville, telling the world he wanted to leave Tottenham, Son Heung-min was quietly telling the club he would commit to them his peak years. What followed, on the back of a new five-year contract, was the South Korean's best season in a white shirt. His reward for 24 goals was a Premier League Golden Boot. That is why his impending exit will be mourned far more than the departure of Kane two years ago. Kane, like Son, is an infinitely likeable character, but when a player agitates for a move, bridges can sway, if not burn. Son's bond with Tottenham's fanbase has always been watertight. Indeed, the only liquid spilt has been the tears that have flowed in the 24 hours since news broke that he is set to play his final game for the club this weekend, here in his native South Korea. And it was Son himself who opened the emotional floodgates when he sat down in Seoul to confirm his wish to go, with Los Angeles FC the destination. We are used to seeing the forward stop, wait and go again, usually with a posse of helpless defenders in his wake. We will never forget his 80-yard dash and dribble to score against Burnley in 2019. This time, there was no such control. On more than one occasion he had to stop and gather his composure, so overcome was he by the message he was relaying. 'Before we start,' he said. 'I just want to share the information that I have decided to leave this club this summer. 'Respectfully, this club is helping me to make my decision. I just want to share this before we start.' He called it the start, but the only subject entertained in the business-room forum of the skyscraper that doubled as a media suite was, naturally, the end. The end of a decade in north London — 454 games and 173 goals. And, belatedly, a first trophy in May. That Son only arrived in the Europa League final victory over Manchester United as a second-half substitute speaks to part of the reason for his decision to move on — he knows the time is right. So, too, do supporters, the club and new boss Thomas Frank. At 33, there is no shame in that. He has given them his best years, as he promised. But when he stops now, he doesn't get going as quickly as he once did. What has not slowed, and what will never diminish, is the affection felt for him by the fans. Kane, Paul Gascoigne, Teddy Sheringham, David Ginola, each of them might feel somewhat unloved compared to theadoration for Son. The hardest part of his decision had nothing to do with football or finance, really, but in leaving the place and the people he has come to call home. 'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career,' he eventually went on. 'I have been here for 10 years. It's a beautiful club with beautiful fans. I have such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision. I just felt I needed a new environment to push myself, to get more out of me. I think I needed a little bit of change. Ten years is a long time. 'I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, a very young age. A boy who couldn't speak English. I leave as a grown man. So thank you to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love. It felt like it was my home. 'But I think it is the right time to leave. I hope that everyone understands that and respects that.' Son also revealed that his decision came long before this tour of the Far East, which will culminate against Newcastle in front of a sell-out 66,000 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday. 'It's been quite a while since I decided to leave the club,' he said. 'The recent days and weeks have been difficult for me. Son previously enjoyed amazing on-field chemistry with record Spurs goalscorer Harry Kane Kane scored more goals for Spurs than Son but the South Korean is perhaps a bigger club icon 'Although I shared it with close friends, it was difficult to stay private on the outside because I'm still the same person, so it shows what's on the inside. Even in such situations, I did my best to not harm the club or my team-mates.' Son, say those close to the club, was clearly more subdued in Hong Kong last week. And, with such an affable guy, that probably is noticeable. For what we will miss most about him is as much theperson as it is the player. He has been a credit to himself, Tottenham and, by extension, English football. You can be certain that those Newcastle fans at the game will applaud his contribution with genuine respect. A few hours after Son left the business forum, pursued by what felt like the entire South Korean press pack, Eddie Howe spoke glowingly of him. 'I think he is one of the legends of the Premier League,' said the Newcastle boss. 'I've never spent time with him, but he seems like an incredible professional and an incredible person. It will be a great moment to share his last game for Tottenham.' Newcastle will no doubt be grateful for the spotlight to be on Son, so pained has their pre-season been. But gratitude is what we all should feel. Son calls it a pleasure to have spent a decade in the Premier League. The pleasure was all ours.


Reuters
6 minutes ago
- Reuters
Falcons sign CB Grayland Arnold
August 2 - The Atlanta Falcons signed cornerback Grayland Arnold, the team announced Saturday. The team did not release any further details of the deal. Arnold, 27, was most recently on the practice squad for two months last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who signed him to a one-year deal. Prior to that, he had 18 tackles and a forced fumble in eight games in his last full season with the Houston Texans in 2023. He had 33 tackles in 26 career games with the Philadelphia Eagles (2020) and Texans (2021-23). In a corresponding move, the Falcons released offensive lineman Kilian Zierer, a 25-year-old player from Germany who was on the practice squad of the Texans in 2024 but has not seen any game action in the league. --Field Level Media


Reuters
6 minutes ago
- Reuters
Lynx F Napheesa Collier departs with ankle injury
August 2 - Minnesota Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier exited Saturday's road game against the Las Vegas Aces late in the third quarter with an apparent right ankle injury. The WNBA's leading scorer was trailing a Minnesota fast break when her feet got tangled with teammate Alanna Smith, who had been bumped by Aces guard Jewell Loyd in a battle for positioning under the basket. Collier went down to the court as the players transitioned to the other end of the floor. Both teams surrounded Collier as she sat on the court with 10.8 seconds left in the third and the Lynx leading 92-49. Collier rose, only to fall back down to the court, favoring her ankle. She was helped off the court by a member of the team's medical staff then walked under her own power into the Lynx locker room. Collier had 14 points in the third quarter alone and finished the game with 18. An All-Star this season, she is an MVP candidate with a league-best 23.8 points per game. --Field Level Media