'Ex-Arsenal player' not photographed al-Qaeda jihadist in Syria

The masked al-Qaeda fighter in Syria, who was allegedly claimed to be a former player of Premier League Arsenal, has reportedly been identified as a citizen of Portugal.

This comes after former French international and Arsenal, Chelsea, Portsmouth player Lassana Diarra was rumoured to be the man, although Diarra denied that he had ever set foot in Syria.

According to The Guardian, the man appeared in a video released online two weeks ago urging others to join the jihadists, using a false name and speaking in a heavy accent, adding that the video was posted in an account linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which is associated with al-Qaida.

The report mentioned that the player was using the name Abu Isa Andaluzi, and the caption mentioned that he is an 'ex-football player (Arsenal of London), who left everything for jihad'.

However, the report further said that British and foreign security services performed analysis on the man's accent and learned that he is probably Portuguese, and sources said that the man may be an individual called Celso Rodrigues Da Costa who had been living in London with his two brothers.

It is unclear whether he had trials for Arsenal or ever had any association with the club although sources at Arsenal say that he may have attended coaching sessions, when potential players are assessed before signing for the club at the age of 16.