[Marc]

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has signed as a footballer for his beloved Doncaster Rovers.

The 21-year-old, who once worked at the club as a waiter in the hospitality suite, has been issued with the number 28 shirt for the 2013/14 season.

He has signed as a non-contract player in aid of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice in Sheffield.

Tomlinson, who will remain with the band, described it as "a childhood dream".

He told Sky News: "It's unbelievable really. I've been a massive football fan for a long time and obviously growing up in Doncaster I've been to plenty of games at the Keepmoat. To be part of the club is incredible."

Tomlinson is a season ticket holder and took part in a charity match at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium last October.

The singer added: "I got in contact with them to arrange a charity football match with my pub team and I kept my links and contacts from there. It's a great club."

Club manager Paul Dickov said Tomlinson will train with footballers from the Championship side. He hopes to play him in a reserve game in September or October in aid of the charity.

Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan wore number 28 when he became the oldest person to play for a professional football club in England, aged 52 years and 11 months.

He said: "I am honoured to let Louis play in my number to help raise money for the charity. I wore this in 2003 for my record beating appearance at Hereford and this is the first time I have allowed it to be used since but I felt this was a good cause."

Claire Rintoul, chief executive of the hospice, said she was "thrilled and delighted" about the signing.

"Being a local lad it's great to see him giving back to the community and supporting our children with a shortened life expectancy," she said.

"He's visited us now on more than one occasion and met some of our children and their families who are all so excited that he is championing our cause.

"Louis was shocked when he learnt that we only receive a tiny amount of statutory funding and have to raise over £3m ourselves, but it means so much to us and our children and families that he's giving his time to help us raise money and awareness."

[Shaun]

just as well since he can't sing

[Ninastar]

he's the gay one (or one of them) so i hope his team aren't too awful to him

[Apple202]

erm ew

[Jarrod]

This is pretty good. He's doing it in aid of charity alongside his work in 1D. So much respect for that guy honest to god.

[Locke.]

So ridiculous, feel sorry for Doncaster's fans

[Brother Leon]

He'll come on for like 10 seconds in 1 game that means nothing if even that. Won't even be at the club much I imagine. Going to be funny seeing teen girls get tickets to them expecting him to properly play lol.

[Drew.]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

This is pretty good. He's doing it in aid of charity alongside his work in 1D. So much respect for that guy honest to god.

are the sales from his shirts going towards charity? as i'm pretty sure this is why they "signed" him. He's hardly going to be involved, probably make an appearance in a reserve game or something, Does he really deserve that much respect?

[Ramsay]

**** sake
What has football become

[Marc]

Rubbish singer. Rubbish team.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Drew.

are the sales from his shirts going towards charity? as i'm pretty sure this is why they "signed" him. He's hardly going to be involved, probably make an appearance in a reserve game or something, Does he really deserve that much respect?

He's donating. I'm sure that deserves respect. He'll be more involved than people think.

I'm leaving this here because I'll be ganged up on in here for being a fan of 1D and respecting them so buhbye.

[Marc]

It's not even the one in your signature so it's fine

[Drew.]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

He's donating. I'm sure that deserves respect. He'll be more involved than people think.

I'm leaving this here because I'll be ganged up on in here for being a fan of 1D and respecting them so buhbye.

yeah its good that hes donating money but in his position its not very hard to sign a piece of paper and not do very much to donate some money, it doesnt make him a respected world hero, Doncaster have done this to make money for themselves from this.

There will now be a horrifying pack of 1D fans who know nothing about football making their way to Doncaster every Saturday only to realize he wont be playing.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Drew.

yeah its good that hes donating money but in his position its not very hard to sign a piece of paper and not do very much to donate some money, it doesnt make him a respected world hero, Doncaster have done this to make money for themselves from this.

There will now be a horrifying pack of 1D fans who know nothing about football making their way to Doncaster every Saturday only to realize he wont be playing.

1D fans won't just turn up... They'll stalk him find out when he's playing THEN turn up. That's what usually happens. Seriously they know their EVERY move.

[Locke.]

Just as well he won't be playing any competitive games then, the Keepmoat Stadium will be free of the annoying little bastards

[Drew.]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

1D fans won't just turn up... They'll stalk him find out when he's playing THEN turn up. That's what usually happens. Seriously they know their EVERY move.

this is very worrying, and scary.

[Novo]

he is playing in a youth development game with a load of 15/16 year olds, someone is bound to two foot the little **** and snap him in half

[Brother Leon]

Time for Pogatetz to get to work.

[Harry!]

From twitter:

@drfc_official: SLOs: Just to confirm Louis will only play 1 game for the develop squad at KMS to raise funds and awareness for Bluebell Wood & DRFC 1 of 2

This game is rumoured to be in September.

And Louis the quiet one LOL? That probably goes to Liam or Niall.

[Z]

Why haven't I heard about this until now?

[Marc]

Because it's not very exciting news

[Z]

Originally Posted by Marc

Because it's not very exciting news

That is probably the best response you could have possibly written

[Locke.]

Well this ended well

Youtube video

He was vomiting and everything after the most basic tackle ever.