FORMER Chelsea goalkeeper Marco Ambrosio has had an unexpected career change following his retirement from football.
The Italian shot-stopper featured just 12 times for Chelsea during his brief spell in London, but became a fan favourite for his Champions League heroics.
GettyMarco Ambrosio spent one season in the Premier League with Chelsea[/caption]
He is now a rally car driver in ItalyInstagram @ambrosiomarco
Ambrosio played in between the sticks for both legs of The Blues’ clash against Arsenal in the 2003/04 Champions League quarter-finals.
Chelsea ended up winning 3-2 on aggregate and progressed through to the semi-finals where they would ultimately go out to Monaco.
But Ambrosio’s heroics helped Claudio Ranieri’s side prevail against Arsenal’s Invincibles squad which featured the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira.
Despite Ambrosio’s superb stand-in performance for Chelsea number one, Carlo Cudicini, he left the club at the end of the season.
He later had spells at Italian clubs Brescia and Reggiana as well spending a brief period in Switzerland playing for Super League club Grasshopper.
Ambrosio then retired in 2013 and has since got behind the wheel to pursue a career in motorsports.
The former goalkeeper regularly shares snaps with his Instagram followers of his rally car back in Italy.
He has just 532 followers on the social media platform, but uses his account to update his old fans on his speed-filled exploits.
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The 50-year-old previously spoke about how he knew his time at Chelsea would be coming to an end when former owner Roman Abramovich took over the club.
Speaking to The Times he said: “I was surprised Chelsea asked me to sign, but I knew I would be second choice. It would have been difficult but for Carlo [Cudicini]. He helped me rent a house and get to know London.
“Abramovich’s arrival changed everything. I knew that sooner or later Chelsea would sign another keeper. I had no problem with that.”