Bojan is considering taking up a new sport, aged 32, after leaving Vissel Kobe in Japan
Former Barcelona and Stoke City striker Bojan Krkic is preparing to take up a new sport.
The 32-year-old forward, who was sacked by J-League club Vissel Kobe in December last year after a two-year stint, has enjoyed a 17-year career that has included stints at Roma, AC Milan, Ajax and more recently MLS -Montreal Impact team.
But the Spaniard is considering a life away from football. After leaving Japan over the winter, Bojan teamed up with former teammate Andres Iniesta to found Barcelona-based bike brand Guava Bikes.
At the time of writing they only have one model for sale, the Guava Spot, a bike that costs in excess of £5,000.
In addition to the Guava project, former Spain international Bojan is currently training for gravel cycling – a sport he has come to love in recent years.
Speaking to Spanish publication AS, the Barcelona youth product opened up about his new venture.
“I think if I go into this project it will stay and I will continue to be associated with cycling,” he said.
“It’s a good way to combine sport and social activity. I might soon be taking part in some races. I will prepare for it.
“I’ve always liked the bike, also as a means of transport, but I’ve loved gravel for about five years. Whenever I can, I go out to ride my routes.
“In football, it also serves as training because since it has no physical effects, you can cover many kilometers without damaging the body.”
Aside from his time at Barcelona, perhaps Bojan’s most prominent spell came at Stoke City. He spent five seasons with Britannia before leaving by mutual consent at the end of the 2018/19 season.
“If I’m honest with you, the Premier League was the first attraction,” he says.
“I went there not knowing Stoke’s style, not knowing much to be honest, but playing in England was a dream.”
Bojan knew it was a brave decision to join Stoke, who were going through a transition at the time, but it paid off.
In his debut season, the club won every game they scored until suffering a serious knee injury in an FA Cup win over Rochdale in January 2015.
“It was one of the biggest decisions of my career and I was proud to play for her,” he added.
“I’ve played for clubs big and small but after Barcelona I can say Stoke is my second home. That’s where I’ve been happiest.”
“I think I played my best level of football there. The fans are incredible and they still send me messages. They will always be in my heart.”