Danny Cipriani trains with Colorado Rapids
It seems that Danny Cipriani is still searching for his true calling in life.
After failing to fulfil his promise as a rugby union player with both club and country in England, the 22-year-old decided last season to sign for Australian rugby side Melbourne Rebels.
But Cipriani’s move Down Under now appears to be in jeopardy after he flew to America to train with Major League Soccer outfit Colorado Rapids.
The former London Wasps fly-half and England international carried a playboy reputation while plying his trade in his home country. His high-profile celebrity relationship with model Kelly Brook often saw him in the tabloids, and a move to Australia marked a fresh start for both him and his partner.
However, his relationship with Brook came to an end in June, which may have deterred the indecisive Cipriani into moving to Melbourne over the summer months.
The Australian rugby club are still adamant that the deal is in place and will be adhered to, and there’s been no comment from the player himself as yet, but Cipriani has been flirting with the idea of playing professional football for a while now.
"Dan has a friendship with members of our coaching staff and is currently training with the club," said Rapids head coach Gary Smith on the club’s website. "He wanted to take advantage of training at altitude and to engage in competitive sessions with our club as we prepare for the last part of our season."
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that he’s gone to America. As a youngster, Cipriani played junior-level football for Queens Park Rangers and was offered a contract by Reading. And just this summer, the former Wasps star had trained with QPR, Fulham and Tottenham.
Of course, the primary reason would have been to maintain his fitness. But this latest development in the increasingly unpredictable life of Cipriani is a sign that he may have his heart set on becoming a footballer.
The MLS would provide the ideal platform for the 22-year-old to change his lifestyle and get away from rugby union altogether. It’s believed that Cipriani has fallen out of love with the sport, and is desperate to put it to one side after losing his place in the England national team.
But if Cipriani harbours any ambitions of becoming an international footballer for England, then he’s likely to be left sorely disappointed.
For a start, only one player has played in the American top-flight has ever retained his place in the England national team – and that was David Beckham. And secondly, Cipriani has no professional experience. So, regardless of how good he thinks he is, it’s unlikely that he’ll have the necessary quality to play top-flight football in the Premier League, let alone internationally.
As yet, it remains unclear what Cipriani will do next. However, his recent actions have not been those of a man content with the idea of another long season with a new rugby club in Australia.
In fact, they’ve not been the actions of a man content with much in his life.
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