Former Chelsea wonderkid who was ‘poached from Leeds’ that resulted in £5m out-of-court settlement wakes up unemployed

FORMER Chelsea ace Michael Woods has become a free agent at the age of 34 after leaving a non-league outfit.

Woods burst onto the scene in 2006 when the Blues signed him from Leeds along with fellow prospect Tom Taiwo.

Former Chelsea prospect Michael Woods is now a free agent at the age of 34Getty

Woods spent the last few years at non-league clubsGetty - Contributor

That led to a clash between the West Londoners’ hierarchy and their former owner Ken Bates, who was the Whites’ chairman at the time.

Bates accused Chelsea of making illegal approaches and even branded then owner Roman Abramovich and Co as “a bunch of shysters from Siberia”.

The businessman then labelled an initial offer of £200,000 as “insulting” and called for the Premier League giants to face a points deduction, transfer ban or suspension from European competitions.

Eventually, Bates accepted £5million compensation in an out-of-court settlement with Abramovich’s side.

However, neither Leeds academy graduate managed to stand out at Stamford Bridge.

Taiwo retired at 29 due to injury, while Woods only managed two senior appearances during his five-year spell at Chelsea.

The midfielder, though, also dealt with injury setbacks as two years into his stay he was told he may never play football again after a serious knee injury in a reserve fixture.

And just ten minutes into his comeback appearance, the ex-England youth international dislocated his ankle.

Ongoing struggles to break into the first team, with Frank Lampard and Michael Essien ahead of him in the pecking order, led to a loan stint at Notts County in 2010 and his eventual departure a year later.

Woods didn’t return to action for another year when he signed with Yeovil Town in 2012.

However, the central midfielder struggled to settle and went on to play for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Harrogate Town, Hartlepool United, Dover Athletic, York City and South Shields.

Eventually, Woods spent six months at Blyth Spartans in the seventh division.

However, the club confirmed the player is no longer on their books with a short statement that read: “Blyth Spartans can confirm that midfielder Michael Woods has departed the club.”