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Footballer's cautionary tale of a trail-blazing transfer gone wrong

Football brought Garry O’Connor wealth and success but the controversial player lost it all.

Hibernian striker, Garry O’Connor, made headlines in 2006 when he became the first British player to be signed by a Russian club.

Contract terms meant the 22-year-old was entitled to receive 15% of his £1.6 million transfer fee to Lokomotiv Moscow. Instead of pocketing the cash he donated it to Hibs' youth academy.

It was a generous gesture, however, as Playing the Game: Garry O'Connor reveals, the move would bring him more money than he ever could have imagined. But it wouldn't make him happy.

Russian rewards

Garry recalls the financial benefits of playing in Russia.

'No social life whatsoever'

In Moscow, Garry was earning around £16,000 per week, supplemented by eye-watering win bonuses. The money was easy to spend; he shelled out on designer clothes and expensive new wheels.

“The most I spent on one purchase was probably a Ferrari," admits Garry. "120 grand. In cash.”

While the financial rewards of playing for Lokomotiv Moscow were great, life in the Russian capital was harder to deal with. After training, Garry would return to his apartment with nothing to do for the rest of the day.

“There was no social life whatsoever," he remembers. "I was quite isolated."

Garry’s wife Lisa became homesick and returned to Scotland with their young son, Josh. She would eventually come back to Moscow every other month, alternating visits with Garry's mum so he wouldn’t be left alone.

Despite his family's efforts, isolated from friends and thousands of miles from home, Garry’s mental health suffered and he began showing signs of depression.

After a year abroad, and having helped Lokomotiv win 2007's Russian Cup Final, he returned to the UK to play for Birmingham City.

'I'm no angel'

Garry continued to play while hiding his depression and anxiety, though his career was marred by string of controversies.

He went AWOL when due to join a Scotland international ; failed a doping test at Birmingham City, and in 2012 he was sentenced to community service for possessing cocaine and obstructing police.

Now aged 37 and speaking openly about how his mental health has shaped his life, Garry hopes his story can act as a warning for young players starting out in their football careers.

“I’m no angel. I’ve made a few mistakes. I hold my hands up to them," he says.

Garry's fortune has now disappeared but he remains positive about the future.

"Life is what it is and you’ve got to move on with it."

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