After a 22 year career, Jermain Defoe has retired from football.
The former England striker was expected to stay at Sunderland until the end of the season but has announced on Twitter this morning, that he’ll be ending his playing days immediately.
Embed from Getty Images“It’s been a really tough decision, but I feel now is the right time,” said Defoe. “I made my professional at 17 years old in 1999. I’ve had an incredible journey and met some amazing people in the game.”
“Football will always be in my blood and it gives me great pride to look back on my blessed career. I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with my friends and family before moving forward into this next chapter of my life.”
Embed from Getty ImagesDefoe scored 305 goals in 764 games as a senior professional and played for seven different clubs; West Ham, Bournemouth, Spurs, Portsmouth, Toronto, Sunderland and Rangers. Whilst at Spurs, Defoe helped win the EFL cup which still stands as the club’s most recent major trophy.
Before joining Sunderland in the summer, he scored 32 goals in 74 appearances for Ranges whilst also winning the Scottish Premiership in 2021.
“I want to say thank you to my mum,” added Defoe. “You gave me a ball at two years old, and you made me believe my dream could happen. All that I am is because of you, and I owe everything to you and God.”
