I achieved England glory with Gomez & Solanke… but here’s the harsh reality of what the transfer window is really like
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THE WINDOW is officially open with the top clubs ready to splash the cash - but it is a much “harsher reality” for many unemployed lower league footballers. And for an England European Championship winner it could lead to a potentially huge life-changing career.
![[Callum Cooke has nearly 200 EFL appearances to his name but is currently unemployed]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/59d79551-b000-4c67-8977-05cd91c51128.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Callum Cooke, 27, was part of an Under-17 squad that included future senior internationals Joe Gomez, Dominic Solanke and Lewis Cook when they lifted the trophy back in 2014. But while they and the likes of Adam Armstrong are still in the Premier League bubble, Cooke is now one of the hundreds of players that find themselves out of work.
![[The midfielder, pictured No.16 top right, helped England win the U17s Euros]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/e05ce621-960c-4303-a914-061006da0f98.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
For two straight seasons he produced some of the top goal involvement numbers in the fourth tier playing for Bradford. But a move back to his native North East with Pools ended up with them suffering relegation into the National League, and despite 35 appearances last term, he departed in June.
![[Cooke was one of the top dogs when it came to attacking stats while at Bradford]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bradford-citys-callum-cooke-sky-718289083.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
After a host of false promises led to him being unable to secure a club in August, the Middlesbrough academy graduate is now fighting to continue doing his dream job. Cooke, who is just four games shy of reaching 200 in the EFL having also played for Crewe, Blackpool and Peterborough United previously, said: “It’s been tough mentally.
“I’ve had training opportunities with several clubs, one where I trained for five days and played in a game for them to prove my fitness, but the problem I’ve had is that once the August window shut, most clubs had their squads full and no budget until January.
