Once NBA player, now the tallest-ever footballer

Nowadays, it's not odd for athletes to retire from one sport and then start playing another. After all, one of the most popular custodians in Premier League history, Petr Cech, did it.

Namely, once the former Chelsea and Arsenal keeper finished his spell with the Gunners and decided to hang up his boots, he almost instantly put on skates and became - and still is - an ice hockey goalie.

These days, a similar example comes from Russia, where former NBA player Pavel Podkolzin decided to switch to football at the age of 40.

He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2004 but spent his entire NBA career at the Dallas Mavericks. He played for the Texas franchise between 2004 and 2006 and made six appearances. Afterwards, he returned to his homeland, where he played for several teams before retiring in 2019.

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Still, everyone was shocked to hear that the 2.26-meter-tall man had joined one of Russia's most popular media football clubs, Amkal Moscow, and debuted in Round 2 of the Russian Cup against Kaluga three days ago!

According to sources, Simon Bloch Jorgensen, a retired German goalkeeper who stood 2.10 meters tall, had been the tallest-ever football player until Podkolzin appeared and dethroned him.

Just imagine what it looks like to defend against a 2.26-meter-tall giant! He's dangerous after crosses and corner kicks, that's for sure.