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Former AFC Wimbledon, Harrogate, Walsall and Hartlepool player Brendan Kiernan is currently playing with the Crystal Palace Under-21 side.

The 31-year-old was previously in the Palace academy as a young player and is training with the side to keep fit and help the club out. He recently played in their 3-3 draw with Blackburn and provided an assist in that match.

Kiernan works as a councillor to young players who have been rejected in football. He has set up a website where players - both in and out of the game - can reach out for help and advice.

There's a growing trend in football that is seeing clubs sign senior players who are there to nurture up-and-coming talent in the academy and to pass on their knowledge.

Manchester United have done it with former England international Tom Huddlestone and Liverpool have done it with Jay Spearing.

Palace have not signed Kiernan to this role but his experience will be useful for the younger players to pick up on.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckd4vj91zkvt?post=asset%3A5b2ee802-0490-4874-ba99-c80900f1e372#post

Olly Lancashire also doing that mentor type role in the Under 23's at Southampton.

Fair play to Kiernan and the club too, I think that's a really smart and noble move from Palace. Gets a bit of experience into their set-up but also the extra benefits he'll be able to bring to those young lads, personally rather than professionally. A lot of them won't make the mark but just strengthening their mental resilience a little bit will make that transition so much easier.