Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paul Gascoigne is set for a sensational return to football – with Bournemouth Sunday League Division Four side Abbey.

The 47-year-old, who is rumoured to have a house in the area, has signed the necessary registration forms and could make his debut for the local side against either Rentech Repairs or ARC Cleaning FC when the season gets underway next month.

Gascoigne played for Spurs between 1988 and 1992 scoring 19 times in 92 games, as well as having had spells with Newcastle United, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton.

The midfielder, who played 57 times for England, was reportedly convinced to sign for the club by Abbey manager Chris Foster who works as a taxi driver in the Bournemouth area.

When asked about how the agreement came about, Foster said: “I have picked him up a few times and spoken to him about signing for us. Although he laughed it off, he didn’t say no.”

After being asked by Gascoigne to buy him some cigarettes, Foster tried to force the issue.

He added: “I pulled out the signing-on form and he signed it there and then. I was chuffed to bits and ran to the car as fast as I could. I was skipping like a 14-year-old.”

Gascoigne last played professional football with Boston United before becoming manager of Kettering in 2005.