Footballer put off round goal (8)
I believe the answer is:
defender
'footballer' is the definition.
(defender is a type of footballer)
'put off round goal' is the wordplay.
'put off' becomes 'defer' (synonyms).
'round' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'goal' becomes 'end' (both can mean a purpose).
'defer' going around 'end' is 'DEFENDER'.
(Other definitions for defender that I've seen before include "repulsive type" , "one aiming to retain his title" , "Back" , "One on team" , "supporter" .)