The left-back has courted controversy in the past and has now said he doesn't want to 'prostitute' himself out to a big sports brand in order to get free footwear.

Former Tottenham left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto has revealed that he buys his football boots on eBay rather than receive handouts from a sponsor.

The Cameroon international, now at Saint-Etienne, claims he feels good about not being contracted to a big company and took a swing at the high prices of regulation footwear.

“I’d rather be free than to prostitute myself for a sponsor,” he told Canal+. “In all honesty, when you’re an African player, it’s not that interesting to have a sponsor. When you’re European, it’s better because business is done in Europe.

“I buy shoes for €30. It’s a good price for comfortable boots. You can find them on eBay, and they’re not expensive. “Being fashionable is expensive, but you’re more distinguished to be vintage.”