Bolton Wanderers' former favourite back in the North West, but his new club may surprise: View | OneFootball

Former Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County striker Adam Le Fondre is back in the North West, but some may be surprised who he plays for now.

Natural goalscorers are a hugely valuable, somewhat rare commodity at every level. However, supporters of the clubs he's played for will tell you Adam Le Fondre was all too often in the right place at the right time, sensing and then dispatching opportunities with unerring composure. The former Bolton Wanderers favourite is now back in the North West, though the destination may be surprising.

Le Fondre, now 37 years-of-age, has scored goals aplenty wherever he has been, be that in England, Scotland, India or Australia.

The diminutive striker began his senior career in 2004 with hometown club Stockport County, roughly averaging a goal every three-to-four games before moving on to neighbours Rochdale, initially on loan before making the move permanent later, in January 2007.

Le Fondre carried on his prolific form at Spotland, scoring 40 times for 'Dale' in a 112 games, before fellow League Two side Rotherham United paid an undisclosed fee to take him to South Yorkshire ahead of the 2009/10 season.

The striker showed no let up in his ruthlessness in front of goal while with the Millers, as he netted 58 times in 105 appearances for a Rotherham side regularly flirting with promotion to League One.

The 25-year-old wanted to play at a higher level, and got his chance as Championship side Reading paid a substantial fee that saw the player join the Royals. It was a move made in heaven, as Le Fondre instantly adapted to the second-tier, scoring with regularity as he and his teammates won the title and promotion to the Premier League.

While Reading would be quickly relegated the following season, Le Fondre's personal performance levels remained strong, earning him the club's Player of the Year award.

The striker moved on to Cardiff City in 2014, but it was two separate loan spells with Bolton over the next three seasons that saw him become a firm Wanderers favourite. Le Fondre's hardworking attitude, coupled with his goalscoring instincts endearing him to the club's fanbase,

Le Fondre joined Bolton permanently in 2017 before later heading abroad

On the back of those two successful temporary stays with Bolton, Le Fondre made the move permanent ahead of the 207/18 campaign, and although he wasn't quite as prolific in his third spell, he still chipped in with a useful contribution across the campaign as a whole.

The striker, heading towards the veteran stage of his career, took the chance to test himself overseas, joining Hyundai A-League side Sydney City in 2018 and finding the net at a rampant rate, scoring 73 times in 125 games for the New South Wales side to help them clinch the 2019 and 2020 A-League Championships respectively.

The striker's stay in Sydney was punctuated with a loan spell at Indian Super League side Mumbai City for the 2020/21 season, Le Fondre scoring 11 goals in 23 appearances to help his side win the domestic Super League.

The striker returned to the United Kingdom last summer, playing a bit-part role for Scottish top-flight side Hibernian. The striker has returned to his native North West England now, though, plying his trade in non-league,

It may surprise many to know that Le Fondre now plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division side FC United of Manchester.

As you'd expect, the striker has slotted in seamlessly at seventh-tier level, looking a cut above and scoring twice in his six appearances so far, including the winner in the opening day victory at Morpeth.

His colleagues will lean on the experience, guidance and composure acquired across a 20-year career spanning three continents, as they look to kick-start their season that's seen them start slowly and sit in the lower reaches of the league standings at this early stage.