Players who made it at a (relatively) high age

Question came to mind because of Marvin Zeegelaar, 26 yo, who's called up for Holland for the first time today (granted: any 31 yo could probably play in the Netherlands XI today, but still). Zeegelaar was deemed a "prodigy" when he debuted in Ajax 1 in 2009. Played four games in two years, withered away at Espanyol B, some Turkish club, and played a whopping 13 minutes for Blackpool in 2013. Rio Ave in Portugal took a gamble on him, they did well, and Sporting Club picked him up last summer, with a 45m clause. He's playing CL now and doing well.

Of course 26 is still p young, but he's been useless for eight years, and now he's finally here. Would like to hear abt players who at a late(r) managed to make it or do well. (I'm guessing Kane and a bunch of LCFC players apply)

*granted: any 26 year old etc. though any 31 yo could too. But youse get the drift.

Harry Kane is still only 23. He just looks old.

Lol my bad, was thinking of Vardy. All you English look the same :)

England midfield supremo Wayne Rooney

^^ One of the best DM's I've ever seen, it's true.

Ronnie Simpson

Simpson represented Great Britain in the 1948 Olympics, but was not selected until 1967 for Scotland.

... of course he had made the mistake of not playing for Rangers.

Jock Stein was 29 when he signed for Celtic, this was his first time as a full-time professional footballer - he had previously worked as a miner while playing part-time in lower leagues in Scotland, and had played full-time for non-league Llanelli Town in Wales - he captained Celtic to the league and cup double in the 1953-54 season, their first championship since 1938.

^^ I love that.

Tearing ourselves away from Celtic players and back to Dutch players, for a moment, that guy Jan Jongbloed was pretty old when he broke through, I believe?

.. just checking, played one international in 1962 (losing 4-1 to Denmark!), his next appearance was a game against Argentina in 1974 (won 4-1 this time) and then it was the '74 World Cup.

He's a good call! Played the 74 final with bare hands because "otherwise you can't feel the ball"!

payet

?

Steve Savidan is a good example, I think. He was kicking around in the French third division for years, making zero impression, before going on a three year streak with Valenciennes that got them promoted to L1 and won him his first cap at 30.

Gianluca Lapadula, who is 26, looks pretty good at Milan. He was in the third division at Teramo two years ago and had a great season at Pescara last year. Scored the winner today.

Luca Toni

i'd forgotten that carlo cudicini had only played one game above serie c by the time he moved to chelsea at 26. maybe injury-plagued son of a legend isnt quite fairytale bum but still