Jonjo Shelvey, who left Liverpool in 2015, has revealed his reasons for leaving the UK behind(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Former Liverpool star Jonjo Shelvey has revealed his reasons for departing the UK. The midfielder made 278 Premier League appearances during stints at the Reds, Newcastle United, Swansea City and Nottingham Forest.

He also earned six caps for England under Roy Hodgson but never appeared in a major tournament for the Three Lions. Shelvey currently turns out for UAE second division outfit Arabian Falcons after departing Burnley in the summer.

And the 33-year-old has now spoken out about the surprising switch - emphasising there are no monetary motives behind the decision.

"I've since seen a few things like, 'He's gone there for money.' I'm thinking, 'What money?' There's no money in the UAE Second Division League," he told BBC Sport.

"The ballpark of the standard wage here is £2,000-a-month for a footballer. In terms of what I've earned throughout my career, that's nothing.

"My brother earns more working in a hotel in London, so it was never about coming here for the money."

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