Built: Stuart Tomlinson of Burton Albion (Picture: Getty Images)

Former Port Vale goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson is giving up a career between the sticks to take up fighting in the ring – as he jets off to join WWE.

The 28-year-old former body builder, retired from professional football in July because of a knee ligament injury, but it now looks like he’s been given a ticket to try his hand at wrestling with the American franchise.

Tomlinson, who played 81 times for Port Vale before leaving in 2012 to join League Two side Burton Albion until he was forced to call it a day, tweeted: ‘Looking forward to a new job (with the) WWE. Swapping two posts and a net, with four posts and ropes – USA bound!’



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Wishing @stutomo all the best in the @WWE here a few pics from last few years. See you soon bro pic.twitter.com/YLJu4sTjNj — Jamie Spencer® (@Jamie_Spencer) December 8, 2013

@shaunstafford @WWE cheers BROTHER gotta start at NXT first and work my way UP, one does not simply walk into SMACKDOWN or RAW. — Hugo Knox (@HugoKnoxWWE) December 8, 2013

Looking forward to a new job @WWE Swapping two posts and a net, with four posts & ropes- USA bound ??✈? as of Tomorro #GIZTHAT #tomoOnTour — Hugo Knox (@HugoKnoxWWE) December 6, 2013