Ex-Prem ace who now sells fishing gear to tourists on beach snaps pic with Novak Djokovic – can you guess who it is?

This mystery footballer is now embracing a quieter existence in Greece.

A FORMER Premier League star has swapped football for a serene life on the beach, where he now sells fishing equipment to sun-seeking tourists.

The ex-ace, looking completely unrecognisable in casual beachwear, recently bumped into tennis legend Novak Djokovic.

He even managed to grab a picture with the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

The mystery footballer, who once dazzled in Europe before a brief and bumpy spell in England, is now embracing a quieter existence in Greece.

He runs a shop on the picturesque Fournoi islands and peddles gear to visitors on Athens’ beaches, as reported in the Manchester Evening News.

It’s far removed from the roar of stadium crowds.

Can you guess who this beachside entrepreneur is, who “collared” Djokovic for a picture according to the Manchester Evening News?

It’s none other than Nery Castillo!

The 40-year-old Mexican, who began his European career as a fan favourite at Olympiacos, winning three league titles, posted the photo on his Instagram, showing the pair grinning on the sand.

Castillo’s time at City came in December 2007 on a desperate loan move, where he even paid half his own fee to join under Sven-Göran Eriksson.

Eriksson later recalled: “He was desperate to come to us, desperate to come to England, desperate to come to the Premier League.”

But his Premier League adventure was short and sour.

Disaster struck in his very first home game for City, when he was stretchered off just 32 minutes in after suffering a broken shoulder.

He did return to action for City later that season, but his final appearance came in the club’s infamous 8-1 hammering at Middlesbrough in May 2008.

Before City, Castillo fetched a record fee for Shakhtar Donetsk as the most expensive signing in Ukrainian history, after shining in Greece.

Post-City, he bounced around on loans to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Chicago Fire, before hanging up his boots at Rayo Vallecano.

Internationally, Castillo stirred controversy for Mexico, once clashing with the media over his fitness and discipline.

He famously said: “The difference is that I am in Europe and you are in Mexico, and you will always remain in Mexico.”

This sparked accusations of arrogance and being a ‘malinchista’ – someone who favours foreign cultures over their own.

This evening it was reported that Jack Grealish splashed out a whopping £20,000 on an epic festive bash for his mates, kicking off at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park where he met up with former England teammate Kyle Walker in the VIP area.

From there, Grealish and around a dozen pals continued the night at Platinum Lace strip club in Leicester Square, where they racked up a £3,500 bill on hundreds of £14 Jagerbombs in a back room as dancers performed on tables and sofas, partying until 4am.

A source said: “Jack wasn’t interested in any lap-dances, he just wanted more late-night drinks.

“Jack had a ball in ­Platinum Lace. He was the perfect gentleman.

“He didn’t so much as look at any of the lap-dancers or striptease artists.

“He is in a loving relationship and this was just a venue that was open for some late night drinks.

“Jack and the gang were in a back room, ordering hundreds of £14-a-pop Jagerbombs, with girls dancing on tables and sofas.

“It was a seasonal tear-up like no other.

“It went on until the weary party was politely ushered out, and returned to the Sanderson Hotel.

Some were then ordering champagne to their rooms.

“It was a blow-out to remember.”