He started out at Newcastle United and was once transferred to North East rivals Sunderland for £5 million.
Paddy Connolly Alloa manager: "He's a Premiership player... I know it sounds ridiculous, but he's still a reasonable age at 31 and hopefully he can add something to the team that will maybe give us those extra points we need to stay in the division."
His top flight career having been at least partially derailed by a gambling problem he claims to be aiming to return to the highest possible level and his preparedness to pitch up at Alloa goes some way towards backing up his words.
Michael Chopra: "Once I finished in India my main objective was to get back and I've been looking around what leagues I could play in.
"The last week I've been training at Port Vale but I got a phone call on Monday asking if I would like to come to Alloa and I jumped at the chance.
"Obviously, it's a new challenge for me.
"I've not played in Scotland before and trying to keep Alloa in the Championship is a challenge I'll grasp with both hands. I'll do my best to maintain their status and also help them win a trophy.
"You look at the fixtures and the results Alloa have had against the big teams. They've beaten Rangers and been unlucky recently against Hibs and Hearts, while in recent weeks they have only been losing by one goal and been unlucky, so they obviously have a good team spirit and people who want to work hard.
"It's now down to myself to try and help the other players out and try and score a goal or two, just to take the pressure off them.
"I remember when I was at Newcastle and I was a young boy playing with Alan Shearer and Michael Owen, Patrick Kluivert and they gave me the best experience possible and made me the player I am today.
"I'll be looking to try and help all the young boys at the club and passing my experience on because coming onto the end of the season when you do need points and it's not all about performances, that's when you need to roll your sleeves up and dig in.
"There's no doubt about it I think they've done that, but they might need that extra bit of experience and hopefully, that's where I come in."