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Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from sport, bringing an end to a career that included 563 club matches and 47 England caps.
Following his departure from Southampton at the end of last season, Theo Walcott has confirmed his retirement from football.
“The first moment I put my football boots on aged 10 was a special journey for me,” Walcott said in an emotional video released on social media. From playing in the park with friends to performing in some of the world’s largest stadiums in front of massive crowds.
“The support shown to me throughout this time has been incredible, and I am truly grateful in every way imaginable.” I shared the field with so many fantastic players, and we made so many unforgettable moments.
“I’d like to thank all of the managers and coaches I’ve worked with, especially Harry [Redknapp] for giving me a chance and Arsene [Wenger] for believing in me and supporting me when I joined the club at the age of 16.” There are so many memories I will cherish from my 18 years in the Premier League.
“My early days at Southampton Football Club, my move to Arsenal where I spent 12 enjoyable years scoring over 100 goals, winning the FA Cup and scoring in the final, which is every child’s dream.” I will never forget the feeling of being able to represent England 47 times, to go to the World Cup in 2006 at the age of 17, and to still hold the record for the youngest-ever debut by a senior England player and the youngest hat-trick goalscorer at 19 years old.
“I’ve had offers to continue playing, but it feels right to finish where I began and hang up my football boots.” “I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.”
Theo Walcott Career Stats
Walcott, who scored 129 goals in all competitions, spent the most of his career at Arsenal, joining the club in January 2006 at the age of 16 from Southampton for an initial £5 million, which rose to £12 million.
In 397 Premier League appearances, the former Arsenal, Everton, and Southampton winger scored 80 goals.
Despite not playing for Arsenal in the second half of the 2005/06 season, Sven-Goran Eriksson named him to England’s World Cup team that summer.
When he featured in a friendly win against Hungary in May 2006, Walcott became England’s youngest player at the age of 17 years and 75 days.
He scored eight times for his country, including a hat-trick against Croatia in World Cup qualifying in 2008, making him the youngest player in Three Lions history to do so.
Walcott, who has more than 100 goals for Arsenal and 47 England caps, was linked with moves to Bournemouth and League One side Reading earlier this summer.
However, the 34-year-old has announced his retirement via social media, having made 563 club appearances and won three FA Cups as well as two Community Shields.
