Former Bristol City striker Leroy Lita is still playing at the age of 33 as his career goes full circle.

He's back at Margate where he first made the breakthrough as a youngster, playing for free.

Joe O'Connor has a look back at the striker's career and what the future holds for him.

Background

Lita started his professional career at Bristol City after joining the club as an 18-year-old. He was discovered by City scout Roger Barton after being released from Chelsea's Academy.

Hsigned his first professional contract with City for the 2002/03 season.

Lita struggled to establish himself in the first team in the first few years of his pro careers, making his debut off of the bench in a 2-0 victory over Blackpool.

In his first two seasons with the Robins, Lita would make only two starts, with 39 bench appearances – scoring seven. After City lost the 2003/04 Division One play-off against Brighton, and Danny Wilson was sacked as manager, Lita began to establish himself in the City first team.

With Brian Tinnion assuming the role of player-manager, Lita got off to a hot start in 2004/05, bagging three in three in the opening days of the new “League One”. Lita would go on to score 24 goals in the league, five in the cup and finish with 29 in 51, which was good enough for the fourth highest scorer in the league.

Being just 20 at the time, Lita was an incredibly hot prospect. Bristol City, however, failed to make the playoffs in the 2004/05 season by one point, but after Lita bagged 24 in 44 and the Championship came calling.

Reading

Reading broke their transfer fee record in bringing Lita to the Madejski Stadium, paying £1m for his services.

Lita looked to establish himself early and scored three in three to kick the 2005/06 season for the Royals. Lita would suffer an injury that would keep him out for six weeks. Upon returning, Lita struggled with form, finding the net just once between September and April. Another injury would rule Lita out for much the remaining season. Reading would go on to win the Championship title with 106 points – 16 points clear. Lita would also be called up to the England U21 side for the first time.

Lita established himself as a first-team player for the now Premiership Reading. He would make 33 appearances during the season, and scored six in seven games during a stretch that included goals against Chelsea, Manchester United and a brace against Manchester City. Reading would have an astonishing first season in the Premiership, finishing eighth.

Following the season, Lita would appear for the England U21’s again, this time at the U21 European Championships. After missing a penalty in England’s first game, Lita would score in three consecutive games. England would ultimately lose a 13-12 penalty shoot-out to eventual winners, the Netherlands.

Leroy Lita of Middlesbrough is tackled by Peter Ramage and Damion Steward of QPR

The 2007/08 Lita struggled with form and making the team. His temperament would become a problem, and after he head-butted Talal El Karkouri, Lita was banned for three games. Reading would go on to finish 18th and be relegated that season. He was loaned out to Charlton in January in an attempt to regain the form he achieved in 2006/07 season.

A public fallout with manager Steve Coppell, fueling speculation that the striker would be leaving Reading. He would feature just three times for the Royals during 2008/09 season. Spending six weeks out of the side, Lita was loaned out for a second time, this time for to Norwich. Lita found success with the Canaries, scoring 7 in 16 appearances.

Lita’s contract was not renewed before the 2009/2010 season, and he was released.

Middleborough

Playing in the North-East Lita, found much of the same form that made him a success at Bristol City in the year prior. The 2009/10 season saw Lita start 23 games, scoring eight times. Boro had a solid season, finished 8 points outside of the playoffs in 11th, and one place below his former team, Bristol City.

Moving forward, Lita was a key member of the squad going forward. The 2010/11 season would see Lita find the net 12 times in that season.

He would test what was left of respect Bristol City fans had for Lita in January of 2011. After Boro put 4 past City, Lita removed he shirt and celebrated in full view of the fans – after being subject to abuse from the City fans. He was yellow-carded for the offence. Lita later took to the Bristol City website to apologise to the City fans for his actions.

Leroy Lita battling for Boro

Swansea City

After two strong seasons in the North-East, Swansea would pay Boro £1.75 million to bring Lita to south Wales. He would make 16 appearances during the 2011/12 season, scoring just three times. He would make zero appearances for Swansea during the 2012/13 season, loaned out twice to Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday.

He would be loaned out for a third time during the 2013/14 season, this time to Brighton. Making 5 appearances, scoring once.

Barnsley

After failing to re-establish himself at the top level of English football, Lita signed a one-year deal with League One side, Barnsley, linking back up with Danny Wilson.

Scoring just twice in 19 games, Lita found himself on loan again, this time with Notts County. He would go goalless in six games.

Swansea player Leroy Lita (l) is challenged by Damien Delaney (r)

AO Chania (Greece)

After struggling to keep up regular game time in England, Lita took his talents overseas. To the Greek Second Division side, AO Chania.

Lita would score once in eleven games in the Greek league, and twice in the Greek league cup. This would be the only half the story.

The widely-reported issues regarding Greek corruption in football would rear its head. Issues of match-fixing, betting syndication and players not being paid led to Lita’s return for the UK.

“All those issues are a problem for every player in Greece.

“The clubs are run by idiots who should not be allowed to be involved in our beautiful game” Lita said during an interview earlier this year.

“Let’s just say I wouldn't advise anyone to go play in Greece.”

Yeovil Town

Returning to the UK, Lita signed a short-term deal with West Country side, Yeovil Town. Lita would make eight appearances for Darren Way’s side, scoring once against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. The Gas would, however, run out 2-1 winners.

The one goal against Rovers would be his only goal with the Glovers. Lita’s short-term contract wasn’t renewed by mutual agreement, and he became a free agent.

Sisaket FC (Thailand)

Lita’s desire to continue playing led him abroad a second time, this time taking him out to Thailand to play for the team of Sisaket FC in the North East of the country. Lita would score five times for the side, making twenty-one appearances.

The move lasted only a year, but Lita was left with a strong impression of the Thai football

system and was happy his career took to the Far East.

“They are still a young nation football wise but it’s going to be a great place to play football in the future.”

The main issues Lita found, naturally, was adapting to culture in Thailand.

“The language was hard to learn but I more than got by after a few months. I’m not a fan of hot food so Thai food was a no for me and I don't like Thai beer.

“Bangkok wasn’t an option and Krabi is where people go on holiday and I think they’re team are in the 4th division there. Sisaket was a difficult place to live but I got used to it and glad I saw the real Thailand, not what we get shown on TV.”

Margate

Lita’s most recent venture on the pitch is with seventh-tier side, Margate FC of the Bostik Premier League.

He told Football.London that he's playing for free at the club, explaining: "I spoke to a few clubs and one went back on what they agreed. I will still play, I am still young.

"I just wanted to play for Margate as that's where I started. There's no money involved, I am playing for free. I want to give something back, I don't want nothing from them, just to play games.

"I am going to keep playing and keep active. This is my life, I'll retire on my terms."

Leroy Lita of Yeovil Town in action

Looking back at Lita’s career, it is interesting to see just where his career where his career began to tail off.

While he wasn’t the talent that many thought he would be when he signed for Reading and scored six in seven 2006/07, the only time he was seeming out of his depth was during his tenure at the very highest level.

Playing in the Championship, Lita was a nightmare for centre-backs up and down the county.

It's also refreshing to see a former Premier League player that is so driven to keep playing football, he will take his ability wherever it is needed – whether that’s in the Greek 2nd division, Northern Thailand or back in non-league.