Former Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott has declared his retirement from football at the age of 34 after turning down offers from both Saudi Arabia and EFL Championship teams.
The last team Walcott played for was his old club Southampton, although he was let go at the end of the previous campaign. Before joining Arsenal and receiving a surprise call-up to England’s 2006 World Cup within two months of turning 17, he had gained prominence with the Saints when he was just 16 years old.
Despite not having yet made his professional Arsenal debut, Walcott went on to play just under 400 games for the club during a 12-year span, scoring 108 goals and winning two FA Cups.
The attacker joined Everton for more than £20 million in January 2018 after his Arsenal career began to wane. The deal was then made permanent the following year after a 2020 loan to Southampton.
Walcott finally won 47 senior England caps after going uncapped in 2006, which added to the controversy surrounding his questionable selection.
He also registered eight goals, including three against Croatia in September 2008, becoming him the Three Lions’ youngest-ever hat-trick player.
Walcott was injured in 2014 and was unable to compete in the World Cup in 2010. He was chosen for Euro 2012 but not Euro 2016, and his lack of club form caused his international career to end forever that year.
“I’m officially going to be hanging up my boots. It’s very scary, I can’t lie,” Walcott said to former England teammate Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast.
“It’s scary because football’s all I’ve known from the age of 16 or even younger. I want to try new things I never experienced as a kid – I missed out on a lot. I just feel like I want to experience life – things [usually] revolve around football for me.
“I’ve had offers abroad and from some very good Championship teams. There’s been some Saudi offers but it’s not where I see myself playing, to be honest. Nothing against the money or the league but if my heart isn’t into playing football it’s not fair on the clubs, not fair on me.”
Walcott also posted a lengthy video from The Overlap on social media.
“The first moment I put my football boots on aged ten 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,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
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