Teddy Sheringham signed for Colchester and moved a step closer to fulfilling one of the few footballing ambitions he has not yet realised - playing against his son.
Sheringham, 41, moved to Layer Road on a one-year deal after being released by West Ham at the end of a frustrating season, most of which was spent on the sidelines.
Despite his advanced years, Sheringham insists his ambition still "burns strongly" but nothing would quite match coming up against his son, Charlie.
Sheringham junior is on the books at Colchester's Coca-Cola Championship rivals Crystal Palace and the two sides meet at Layer Road on November 24.
There are plenty of examples of brothers playing against each other - Gary and Phil Neville, Rio and Anton Ferdinand - and of fathers managing their sons as happened with the Cloughs and the Redknapps.
But not of fathers playing against their own sons.
"It would be nice and hopefully it will happen," Sheringham said.
"We'd probably be at different ends of the pitch because Charlie is a striker as well but you do find yourself up against different people at different times of a game.
"But it would have to be some coincidence for him to get in the team and for me to be playing. Something has got to happen."
Charlie Sheringham - who at 19 is five years younger than his father's football career - has not yet broken into Palace's senior squad but is spending the summer on loan at the club's USA franchise in preparation for the new campaign.
Sheringham senior found his own first-team options limited at West Ham last season after falling out of favour with manager Alan Curbishley.
Sheringham became the oldest player to score a goal in the history of the Premier League but started only four matches all campaign.
"I have had a lot of managers down the years who like the way I play," Sheringham said pointedly.
"But I can't grumble. These things happen in football and West Ham did their job. They got out of trouble.
"I had a barren time last season but I don't think it has any bearing on what I want to do this week or next week."
Sheringham may have left Upton Park under something of a cloud and he walked into Layer Road, where he was greeted by a gaggle of fans, through a fire exit.
But he made clear the rather modest surroundings - modest for an MBE who has won 51 England caps and helped Manchester United win the treble - were of no concern.
"It doesn't matter what car you drive," he said.
Sheringham's deal with Colchester is as a player only, ending speculation his move would be his first step on the coaching ladder, and he said: "I still have a burning ambition to play football.
"I have come here to be a player. I still feel like I have something to offer.
"I had a Championship year with West Ham three years ago and it was tough going. It is a big division and you have to be on top of your game to compete with these teams all the times."
The deal will appease many Colchester supporters, who felt the club were undermining all their impressive work last season by allowing key strikers Jamie Cureton and Chris Iwelumo to leave the club.
But the Us smashed their transfer record twice with the signings of Mark Yeates from Tottenham and MK Dons striker Clive Platt.
And manager Geraint Williams is convinced Sheringham can have a major impact at the club.
"Teddy will bring quality and class to the side and of course goals," he said.
"It has been well documented that two forwards have left club this summer - but Teddy has got fantastic goalscoring record and we see him keeping that going at Colchester United."
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