Theo Walcott: Former Arsenal and England winger announces immediate retirement from football at the age of 34
Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34, bringing the curtain down on a career that spanned 563 club appearances and 47 England caps
Friday 18 August 2023 12:11, UK
Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from football following his departure from Southampton at the end of last season.
Walcott, who scored more than 100 goals for Arsenal and won 47 England caps, had been linked with a move to Bournemouth and League One outfit Reading earlier this summer.
But the 34-year-old has called time on his career, confirming his retirement with a social media post, having made 563 club appearances and won three FA Cups alongside two Community Shields.
- Download the Sky Sports App
- Get Sky Sports
- Stream the Premier League and more on Sky Sports with NOW for £26 a month for 12 months
In an emotional video posted on social media, Walcott said: "The first moment I put my football boots on aged 10 was a special journey for me. From playing in the park with friends to performing in some of the biggest stadiums in front of huge crowds across the world.
"The support shown to me throughout this time has been incredible and in every way imaginable I am truly grateful. I shared the football pitch with so many incredible players and we have created so many unforgettable memories.
Trending
- Legendary designer Newey decides to leave Red Bull
- Papers: Canada approach ex-Man Utd boss Solskjaer over managerial job
- Littler moves clear at top of PL table with Cross demolition in Liverpool
- Slot 'confident' of Liverpool deal despite 'hard-bargaining' by Feyenoord
- PL Predictions: Liverpool to misfire again at West Ham
- The making of Arne Slot: Why he is right for Liverpool
- Transfer Centre! Saudi transfer strategy to change amid Salah interest
- 'Nobody is safe' - Pep wary of City suffering title setbacks like Liverpool
- Premier League Darts table after Night 13
- 'Ashworth to take Newcastle to arbitration over Man Utd move'
"I'd like to say a big thank you to all the managers and coaches that I've worked with, especially Harry [Redknapp] for giving me a start and Arsene [Wenger] for showing the belief and supporting me when I joined the club at only 16 years old. Over 18 fantastic years in the Premier League, there are so many moments I will cherish.
"The early days at Southampton Football Club, my transfer to Arsenal where I spent 12 enjoyable years and scored over 100 goals, winning the FA Cup and scoring in the final which is every kid's dream. To have had the opportunity to represent England 47 times and to go to the World Cup in 2006 aged just 17 and still to hold the record for the youngest-ever debut by a senior England player and the youngest hat-trick goalscorer at 19 - I will never forget that feeling.
"I'm lucky enough to have had offers to continue playing but it feels right to finish where I started and hang up my football boots. Thank you to everyone who has been with me along the way."
Walcott, who scored 129 goals in all competitions, spent the majority of his career in north London at Arsenal after joining the club in January 2006 aged 16 from Southampton for an initial £5m rising to £12m.
The former Arsenal, Everton and Southampton winger scored 80 goals in 397 Premier League appearances.
He was sensationally named by Sven-Goran Eriksson in England's World Cup squad that summer despite not featuring for the Gunners in the second half of the 2005/06 campaign.
Walcott became England's youngest player at the age of 17 years and 75 days when he appeared in a friendly win over Hungary in May 2006.
He scored eight times for his country, including a hat-trick against Croatia in World Cup qualifying in 2008 which made him the youngest player to score a treble for the Three Lions.
In pictures: Walcott's career...
