Former Burnley captain Ben Mee has come out of retirement to sign with Deportrio, joining Joleon Lescott in a star-studded Baller League UK squad.
A Premier League skipper signs on
Ben Mee has become the latest former Premier League star to join Baller League UK. The ex-Burnley captain, 37, has signed for Deportrio — the team managed by Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge — just months after announcing his retirement from professional football in May.
The signing was announced on Baller League’s official Instagram and reported by The Sun.
A serious defensive addition
Mee spent a decade at Burnley, captaining the Clarets through some of the most successful years in the club’s modern history, and finished his career with spells at Brentford and Sheffield United. Since retiring he’s moved into punditry — but the pull of the six-a-side game has brought him back onto the pitch.
He joins a Deportrio squad that already includes ex-Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott, giving the side a genuinely formidable back line for the fast-paced 6v6 format.
Fan reaction
The announcement drew a strong response from Baller League fans:
“Let’s go 🔥”
“What a signing 👏”
“Nah, Deportrio connections are crazy.”
“Ben Mee playing Baller League… on the lowest possible wage bracket. This is unfair.”
Former pros flooding in
Mee is part of a growing trend of ex-professionals and household names joining the league, following the likes of Jordon Ibe and Henri Lansbury, with more big names reportedly on the way for Season 4.
Season 4 kicks off Monday 12 October 2026 at the new Baller League Arena in Dagenham. See our Season 4 guide for the full schedule and format.
Sources
- The Sun — Former Premier League captain, 37, signs up for Baller League months after retiring (29 September 2026)
- Baller League UK official Instagram