Billy Sharp set for Baller League debut as his new endeavour kicks off for United legend

Sheffield United hero Billy Sharp could make his Baller League debut on Monday night just one day after he announced his retirement from professional football.

Sharp officially hung up his boots on Sunday live on Sky Sports, following the announcement that he had signed for the Baller League side N5, led by Jens Lehmann.

The striker was announced as a N5 player on October 1, yet it could have been assumed Sharp was using the competition as a way to sustain his fitness after he was left without a professional club following the expiry of his contract at Doncaster Rovers this summer.

The 40-year-old said on his social media, “It’s time for me to say goodbye to the game that has given me so much. Not everyone gets to live their childhood dream, and fewer still get to say goodbye on their own terms, walking off the pitch with a hat trick in my final appearance.”

Sharp added 14 goals to his 299 EFL tally for Doncaster in League One last season, notably scoring a hat-trick against Peterborough on the final day.

He continued, giving a special mention to United in his farewell post, “And to Sheffield United. My club. My home. To captain my boyhood club, win three promotions, and score 129 goals in that famous red and white shirt was beyond my wildest dreams.”

The Baller League is an indoor, six-a-side football competition that blends traditional sport with entertainment by featuring 12 teams managed by celebrities and influencers, fast-paced 15-minute halves, and randomized ‘Gamechanger’ rule twists in the final minutes of play.

After success in Germany, the league launched the UK edition in March 2025, seeing many famous faces across football and the UK content creator space take manager roles.

Sharp isn’t the first EFL man to make the switch to Baller League, with players such as Martyn Waghorn, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Marvin Sordell all making appearances in some capacity.

The United legend takes on SDS, led by YouTuber Sharky, at 19:30 on Monday, October 12 at Baller League Arena, East London.

You can watch for free on Baller League UK’s YouTube channel.