Conor Washington hasn’t given up on playing for Northern Ireland again
Northern Ireland striker Conor Washington will be playing his football in the eighth tier of English football with Matlock Town next season.
The Derbyshire club are currently members of the Northern Premier League Division One East and play at Causeway Lane.
Town stated: “Now back fully fit and hungry to get back in the goals, we are excited to welcome Conor to the Gladiators and look forward to seeing him at the Proctor Cars Stadium.”
Last season the club suffered relegation to the NPL Division One.
It was a frustrating campaign which saw three managers in charge and numerous on and off-field problems including a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.
Washington was a free agent and looking for a new club after an injury-hit spell at Derby County.
He had two seasons with County, where he made 22 appearances and scored three goals as the Rams secured promotion back to the Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season, before missing the whole of the 2024/25 campaign through injury.
The 33-year-old’s last international cap came against Denmark in November 2023. The former Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic striker has made 43 appearances and scored six goals.
Earlier this summer he told the Belfast Telegraph he was hungry to make it to 50 caps.
“I look back and there were so many caps I missed, just from injuries at the wrong time. I missed so many of them. I’d love to get to 50,” he stated. “I still feel really good, and I still feel like I can go and play for two or three more years. Obviously, I’ve got to get myself to a playing level that Michael’s (O’Neill) got to at least have a look.
“Never say never. And I’m looking forward to the challenge because, listen, that is in my mind. It has been in my mind over the last 12 months that I miss playing international football.”