Ex-Premier League wonder who turned down Barcelona is without a club

An ex-Premier League wonderkid who was offered a decade-long deal with Spanish giants Barcelona has just been released from the 15th different club of his career.

The midfielder, now aged 32, was on the youth programme at Crystal Palace when the Catalan club came in with the offer when he was 14 years old.

However, his career has taken a different path, with a number of other clubs, including several loan spells, and gigs with teams in Canada, Belgium, France and Turkey.

John Bostock signed an 18-month deal with Notts County in December 2022, with the side rising from the National League to League 2 via the play-off final the following summer.

Now he has been named on the list of players released from Notts County following the end of his deal with the club. 

A former Premier League wonderkid who turned down Barcelona aged 14 is now without a club

John Bostock has been released from Notts County after finishing 14th in League Two 

The club's statement read: 'John and Tobi [Adebayo] are two other players who have established themselves as huge characters at the club.

'As well as being a thoroughly professional and calming presence away from the field, John made many excellent performances for us – not least at Wembley, where his incredibly composed display and all-important equaliser were crucial to us winning the promotion he and his team-mates so richly deserved.'

Bostock scored in the 88th minute with a long shot that slipped through the grasp of Chesterfield goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons. 

Despite his Panenka penalty hitting the bar in the decisive shootout, Notts County emerged 4-3 winners to return to the League.  

Bostock captained England at Under-17 level in the late 2000s, and also played at Under-19 level, but never made the step to Under-21s or the senior team. 

His success at a young age saw him attract attention from many of European football's biggest names, telling the BBC in 2020: 'When I was 14, Barcelona offered me a 10-year contract.

'Ronaldinho was my favourite player at the time so they sent me a signed poster from him. I've still got it at my house in London. It said: "To John from Ronaldinho".

'You name the club, I had interest from them. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter [Milan], Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool - the who's who of European football.'

He eventually left Palace for Tottenham, a decision he later came to regret, but he never played in the Premier League for Spurs, instead featuring on loan for a string of lower-league sides, as well as Toronto FC in Canada.

After his time with Spurs ended, he played for Royal Antwerp and OH Leuven in Belgium, Lens and Toulouse in France, Bursaspor in Turkey, and spent 18 months with League One Doncaster Rovers before joining Notts County at the end of 2022.

Alongside Bostock and Adebayo, Jim O’Brien, Richard Brindley and Aden Baldwin also leave Notts County at the end of their contracts. 

Connell Rawlinson has been transfer-listed, Luther Munakandafa will also move on, while Aidan Stone and Will Randall are free to pursue other clubs.

Bostock's youth career at Crystal Palace attracted interest from many top European clubs

Notts County finished nine points off the playoff spots in their first season since promotion

However, Notts County have retained Cedwyn Scott’s services for another year, while Geraldo Bajrami has been offered the chance to extend his stay. 

After promotion to League Two, Notts County finished the campaign in 14th place, nine points off the playoff spots.