I’m a former Premier League star who retired and founded an AI company – we work with 40 clubs including top flight side

FORMER Premier League star Esteban Granero lives a very different life after retiring from football.

The 36-year-old spent one season playing for QPR, where he played 24 times under Mark Hughes and Harry Redknapp.

Instagram @olocip_labEsteban Granero runs his own AI company after retiring from football[/caption]

The ace spent one season playing for QPRPA:Press Association

Granero’s biggest success came in the previous three years at Real Madrid, where he won a LaLiga title and Spanish Cup.

But after also spending time at Getafe, Real Sociedad and Espanyol, he called it a day in 2021 after playing for second-tier Marbella.

And following his retirement, Granero now runs his very own AI company.

The ex-midfielder founded Olocip in 2016 as he explored ways of using artificial intelligence to help the beautiful game.

Granero’s company uses data to help make big calls on transfers and in-game decisions.

He now provides 40 clubs with cutting-edge AI technology – including one team in the Championship and another in the Premier League.

Granero told The Standard: “I took the data and started asking clever people about it.

“I went to universities and asked professors about artificial intelligence, as I felt AI could improve data analysis, as in other industries.

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Granero won LaLiga during his time at Real MadridPA:Empics Sport

“We’ve been developing for years. Now the AI wave is coming – we see AI applications worldwide in every industry – we are taking advantage of what we’ve been building.

“For years, we were struggling to make people understand how AI can improve analysis of data. Now people come to us.

“AI will bring efficiency in decision making at a club, not only in sports science but economics, the development of a club, fan engagement, ticketing, marketing services. It will bring efficiencies in everything.”

Such is the growing role of AI in football that a different company has created a candidate to run against Gianni Infantino for Fifa president.

‘Hope Sogni’ is an AI character from sports agency Dark Horses, who can engage in real-time conversation and even has her own manifesto.