Prince Buaben admits that if Dundee United had not rescued him from the footballing scrapheap, he could have been lost to the game for good.
The midfielder, whose contract at the club ends this season, brings down the curtain on his time at Tannadice tomorrow afternoon against Hearts.
He has yet to decide where he will move to, although a host of potential suitors for his talents are believed to be interested.
English Championship side Swansea, who are involved in the play-offs for possible promotion to the Premier League, are just the latest to be linked with him.
However, no matter where Buaben is plying his trade next season, he will be forever grateful to United for giving him a chance after he was released by Dutch giants Ajax as a teenager.
“After I left Ajax, I was out of football for a year and I fell out of love with the game,” said the Ghanaian.
“I was back in Manchester at college studying to be a personal trainer. I had been on trial at a few places but nothing worked out and, to be honest, I wasn’t enjoying it.
“But when my agent told me United wanted me, I came up, loved the place and did well enough for the manager to sign me.
“Coming to Dundee United saved my career,” he said. “I honestly do not know what I would be doing now if it hadn’t happened.
“The last few years have been amazing. I have picked up experience, competed against some really good players, played in Europe and, of course, won the Scottish Cup.
“That day has been the highlight and it is something which will stay with me forever. But it’s time to move on now as I feel I need a fresh challenge.’Nothing concrete'”I have nothing concrete yet. My agent is speaking to a few people but we will just wait and see what happens.”
Buaben is not the only player bidding farewell today with David Robertson, Craig Conway and Morgaro Gomis among those also set to bow out from Tannadice, along with the injured Darren Dods.
“It will be an emotional day for everyone because this is the end for some of us,” added Buaben.
“In a way, I am looking forward to it because it will be special, but in another, it will also be a sad day. But these things happen in football and it’s time to move on.
“The boys have been fantastic to me since I joined the club. They have helped me in my career and I will always be grateful for what they have done.”
United manager Peter Houston hopes the home supporters turn up in their thousands to pay tribute to the departing players who have etched their names forever in the record books after winning the Scottish Cup.
He said, “I would love the fans to turn out in numbers for the players who are leaving. I am going to play as many of them as I can.
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“They will go down in the history books because Dundee United do not win the Scottish Cup that often.
“The team from 1994 are still celebrated these days and I think in 20 years’ time, the current crop of lads will be looked upon in the same way.
“They will be invited back to Tannadice and welcomed by everyone. The boys have decided to move on, change their careers and maybe make a bit more money.
“The fans have been great to them, though, and Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to show their appreciation one last time. Although there is nothing to play for, the lads will want to end the season on a high and I’m sure Hearts will as well.
“We would have liked to have been playing Hearts for third place but it wasn’t to be. But still, our lads can be pleased with the way they have performed this season.
“Hearts have had a very good season. Their consistency is what has taken them into third place. And while our record at Tannadice is as good as theirs at home, they have been better away from home.
“But there is no disgrace in finishing behind Hearts in fourth place.”
“I have already said that, with all the problems we’ve had this season, finishing fourth is a bigger achievement than third was 12 months ago.”
United have been linked with a move for former loan star Willo Flood who has been released by Middlesbrough. But Houston was keen to play down that speculation.
“I have a number of players who I am looking at for next season,” he added. “Willo is a player who I admire but I think he is out of our league financially.”