Ross McCormack looks on during Melbourne City's match against the Central Coast Mariners

Ross McCormack has returned to English football by joining a club in the ninth-tier.

The former Scotland striker has joined Knaresborough Town of the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Ross McCormack celebrates scoring for Leeds United against Barnsley
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McCormack has joined Knaresborough Town in the ninth-tier of English footballCredit: Getty Images - Getty

His arrival at the North Yorkshire-based outfit comes just a month after McCormack signed for Scottish amateur side Giffnock North.

He had previously been without a club for almost two-and-a-half years after leaving Doncaster City in March 2024.

McCormack previously had spells in Scotland, England and Australia before dropping into non-league.

Knaresborough have now become the 15th club of his football career.

The Boro announced the signing of McCormack on Tuesday ahead of a Northern Counties East Football League Cup tie against Penistone Church.

While Knaresborough went on to win 2-0, McCormack was not involved.

He could instead make his debut at home to Horbury Town on Saturday at the 1,000-capacity Manse Lane.

Knaresborough currently sit seventh in the table after seven matches this season.

McCormack's career to date

McCormack has been playing non-league football since 2020 following a 17-year professional career.

Having left Aston Villa in the summer of 2019, he joined Aldershot in the National League 14 months later.

Ross McCormack on the ball for the Central Coast Mariners against Brisbane Roar
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McCormack's career has included spells in Scotland, England and AustraliaCredit: Getty

Spells have since followed at Liversedge and Doncaster City as well as making his boxing debut in April of this year.

McCormack started his senior career with Rangers, winning a Scottish Premiership title in 2005.

After a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers, he moved to Motherwell in 2006 before joining Cardiff City two years later.

The forward would then go on to score 120 goals in 333 Championship appearances for Cardiff, Leeds United, Fulham, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest.

His tally includes a 28-goal haul to win the golden boot with Leeds in the 2013/14 season.

McCormack is also the fourth-highest scorer in Championship history behind Billy Sharp, Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent.

Ross McCormack celebrates scoring for Aston Villa against Huddersfield Town
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McCormack is the fourth-highest scorer in Championship historyCredit: Getty

However, he made the fewest appearances in the division out of the top four.

During his time at Villa, McCormack also had loan spells with Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners and Motherwell.

At international level, he was handed his senior Scotland debut by George Burley as a 21-year-old in 2008.

McCormack went on to score twice in 13 caps for his country, with the last of those appearances coming against Italy in 2016.

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