Nov 1 (Reuters) - Former Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp has reversed his decision to retire from professional football and signed for eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds, the club announced on Sunday.
The 40-year-old Sharp, who announced in October that he was stepping away from the professional game after a 22-year career, will now continue playing in non-league football and is expected to feature in Diamonds' FA Cup first-round tie at Burton Albion next Saturday.
The move marks a return to the area whereSharp's prolific career first gained momentum. The first of his 299 professional goals came during a loan spell with the original Rushden & Diamonds in 2005.
Rushden & Diamonds went into liquidation in 2011 after financial problems and was succeeded by phoenix club AFC Rushden & Diamonds, formed by supporters.
Sharp enjoyed his greatest success at Sheffield United, where he helped the side to win three promotions, including two to the Premier League.
(Reporting by Paras J. Haji in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)
