Inama Enterprise Ltd is delighted to announce that Darius Vassell is to release his official autobiography, The Road to Persia, published by his own company, Inama and co-authored by Oporto Sports Director, Dean Eldredge, set for a late summer 2016 release.
The 35-year-old Vassell, who with this news is also announcing his retirement from football, enjoyed a 14-year professional career, beginning with his hometown club Aston Villa, before moving to Manchester City, Ankaragücü in Turkey and finishing with Leicester City in 2012.
The lightning quick forward represented his country at under-18, under-21 and senior level, playing 22 times under England boss Sven-Göran Eriksson and scoring six goals. He played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and his international career culminated at the 2004 UEFA European Championships, as England reached the quarter-finals before losing in a penalty shootout to eventual finalists Portugal, with Vassell seeing his spot-kick saved by future Leicester City teammate, Ricardo.
Speaking about the announcement, Vassell said: “I have enjoyed my career in football playing at the highest level, doing something I genuinely loved, and I felt that now was the right time to announce my retirement and look to the next phase of my life.
“I’m excited that this book will cover my career in the game and my life away from football. Having met Dean during our time at Leicester City, we have remained in contact and I look forward to the opportunity to put down my words on paper with him.”
Oporto Sports Director, Dean Eldredge, added: “During the process of our interviews, it is clear that there is far more to Darius than people know; yes, he’s played for his boyhood club and his country, experienced penalty shootout heartbreak in a major tournament, and during a brief spell in Turkey he found himself temporarily homeless, but it’s his upbringing, his personality and his loyalty that makes this more than your average footballer’s story.
“He is a thoughtful, methodical individual, married to his wife Amani, who until now has kept his life as private as a professional footballer can, but in early 2015 he became father to the lovely Persia and this book will be his way of saying thank you to his family and close friends, whilst allowing readers an insight in to a man who truly lived his dream.”
For all media enquiries for Darius Vassell and for his autobiography, including serialisations, please contact dean@oportosports.com