A former Chelsea star has swapped Stamford Bridge for the Amazon rainforest in the most shocking switch of the January transfer window.
Florent Malouda has completed an army initiation in his country of birth, French Guiana, and has been passing on his wisdom to the next generation of soldiers.
The 44-year-old won six trophies across six seasons with Chelsea, including the Premier League in 2010 and Champions League in 2012.
But he was forced to muck it out with the youth team for his final season after demanding a move away - and subsequently snubbing all offers for financial reasons.
In recent times Malouda has befriended a cheetah in Dubai and helped a football academy in Kazakhstan. His plunge into army life only heightens his aura.
Malouda teamed up with the 3rd Forest Infantry Regiment's citizens' reserve, taking trips down the river, making tents, swinging across wooden bars, and sharing life lessons with junior colleagues.
The reserve is described by the French government as a programme which 'enables civilians (often recognised in their fields) to make a voluntary contribution to promoting the values and missions of the military institution, without being military personnel themselves'.
Malouda wrote on Instagram: 'Thanks to @3e_rei for this moment of cohesion and for these values of team spirit in the face of adversity. These are core values in high-level sport.'
The former Chelsea star was even rewarded with a medal for his service.
French Guiana, an overseas department of the French Republic, is not a FIFA nation and so Malouda played 80 times for France during his international career.
In 2017, five years afer his last cap for France, he tried to register for the French Guiana national team but was not given dispensation.
They fielded him as captain for a CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Honduras all the same and after a 0-0 draw the game was made a forfeit due to his participation.
At least he has been deemed eligible for the army eight years on.
'The #3REI welcomes in its citizen reserve Florent Malouda as an officer,' the organisation wrote on Instagram.
'After an exceptional career in international football, he has a heart to share and pass on the values of commitment to the Guyanese youth alongside the Legionnaires of the 3rd Rei.'
Malouda made 706 appearances at club level throughout his career, scoring 119 goals across stints in France, England, Turkey, India, Egypt, and Luxembourg.
In his prime at Chelsea he was a prolific contributor on the wing, bagging 29 goals across two seasons between 2009 and 2011.
Clearly he still has fondness for the Blues as he posted a photo of himself in their away kit just three weeks ago.
