Footballer put off outside goal (8)
I believe the answer is:
defender
'footballer' is the definition.
(defender is a type of footballer)
'put off outside goal' is the wordplay.
'put off' becomes 'defer' (synonyms).
'outside' is an insertion indicator (some letters go outside others).
'goal' becomes 'end' (both can mean a purpose).
'defer' placed around 'end' is 'DEFENDER'.
(Other definitions for defender that I've seen before include "Guardian" , "Protector" , "One resisting attack" , "Guard - champion" , "Goalkeeper" .)