Former England and Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend, 34, has joined Thai Premier League side PT Prachuap, his 17th club. This move follows a stint with second-tier Thai team Kanchanaburi Power, where he made 29 appearances and scored three goals last season.
Townsend's transfer to PT Prachuap, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, continues his "Thai adventure," as he described it on Instagram. The club had appeared to foreshadow his arrival two weeks prior by inquiring about housing options for the player.
Before his move to Thailand, Townsend played for Turkish side Antalyaspor and previously had spells with Premier League clubs including Spurs, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and Everton. His recent transition to Thai football gained additional attention during the World Cup, where he worked as a co-commentator for ITV.
During the tournament, Townsend became a viral sensation for his distinctive diet, which he promoted in videos showing him consuming raw steak, sardines, and boiled eggs, often on flights. He stated his aim was to maintain his health while navigating hotel stays, limited cooking facilities, and the temptation of fast food, emphasizing the mantra, "Never let your circumstances dictate your health."
Townsend claims to have been consuming raw meat for four years, dating back to his time in the Premier League. He defends this practice by asserting that it allows him to retain more nutrients, such as Vitamin B1, B6, and B12, which can be degraded by cooking. However, consuming raw meat carries risks, including potential contamination with bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella, or parasites. While whole cuts of raw meat are considered safer than ground meat due to reduced surface area for bacteria, surface contamination can still occur.
Townsend has reported no adverse health effects from his raw meat consumption and maintains it is beneficial for his nutritional intake.