He won it all at Chelsea – now ‘new challenge’ awaits at 11-year old club you’ve probably never heard of

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A former Chelsea player who has won countless major titles within the game is embarking on a new challenge this season for a club that is only 11 years old.

Many footballers who get the opportunity to play for Chelsea find themselves at the highest level until the end of their careers, but others opt to make unexpected decisions in a bid to keep playing.

That is the case with one of Chelsea’s original Champions League-winning squad members, who has found life at one of the youngest clubs in the sport today.

Chelsea are preparing to return to the Champions League, and they will face their former player in his new club.

David Luiz is ‘very happy’ to be playing for Pafos

David Luiz played for Chelsea from 2012 to 2014, then returned for a second stint with the club from 2016 to 2019, making 248 appearances for the Blues.

After that, he played for Arsenal before moving back to Brazil. However, during this past summer transfer window, the veteran surprisingly signed for Pafos, a relatively new club formed in 2014.

Despite Pafos being so fresh on their journey as a club, Luiz spoke to BBC Sport about his excitement to play for them for the next two years.

“I was in talks with Pafos, and then I said, ‘Okay, it’s the right moment to go to a new challenge.’ I’m so, so happy. I am very happy to be here.

“Nobody expected us to be in the Champions League this season, and it happened because of the work. I think the club is working hard for many, many years.

“The coach here, the staff, all the players, they’re working hard here every day.”

David Luiz will have one more Champions League memory with Chelsea

One of the most memorable nights of Luiz’s career took place in 2012, when he was part of the team that won Chelsea’s first Champions League title against Bayern Munich.

The Brazilian played a key role in the final, playing every minute of the game, and scoring in the penalty shootout, which he reflected on positively.

“For me, it was a special night not just because of the title, just because of how it was. Nobody expected us to be in the final first.

“I think that year everybody was expecting it to be Barcelona against Madrid when the semi-finals drew. We beat Barcelona, and Barcelona beat Madrid.

“That day, I wasn’t supposed to play because of a hamstring injury, and not many people know about that.

“I went to the pitch and I play 120 minutes, score a penalty with a hamstring that I have today a big gap here. It’s the scar, the mark that I never forget.”

Now with Pafos, Luiz will have the opportunity to create one more Champions League memory involving Chelsea, as the two teams will meet in the seventh phase of the competition in January.