Blackpool striker Nile Ranger has apologised to the club and his teammates after a seven-month self-imposed exile from the club.
Former Southampton and Newcastle player Ranger, 24, joined Blackpool on a one-year deal in August 2014 and, despite not featuring for the club after going AWOL in December, he was handed a contract extension last summer.
He then reported back late for preseason training and has not featured for the League One club this season, but he posted a video of himself working on his fitness on Twitter last week.
Blackpool boss Neil McDonald then said Ranger "has no future at the football club," telling BBC Radio Lancashire: "His contractual obligations mean we have to try and get him fit when he turns up, if he turns up, whenever he turns up. So we're available for him, but he won't train near the first team and he won't train anywhere near the ground."
However, Ranger has now issued an apology to everyone at Blackpool and all of his former clubs and said he still hopes to rebuild his career.
- Nile ranger (@NilePowerRanger) September 28, 2015
"I have seen two of my good friends pass away," he wrote. "Whilst overcoming this it has made me realise life is really short and I have really been taking things for granted.
"I would like to use this opportunity to thank Southampton, Newcastle, Swindon and Blackpool for giving me the chance to experience the dream of being a professional footballer.
"To add to this I would like to apologise to everyone at these clubs including management, players, staff and fans. I should have given more and been a better role model.
"I would also like to add I am sorry to my current teammates at Blackpool for being missing for a long period of time and not attending preseason and putting in the hard work during this time.
"Truth be told I'm just a young boy who has been living the dream and playing a game which I do love and miss deeply, and hope that one day I will be able to get back on a pitch and play because life is really too short."