After returning to a clubless status this summer, Wilshere has finally decided to hang up his boots.
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has announced his retirement as a player at the age of 30, with the former England international preparing to become the Gunners’ Under-18s coach, GOAL can confirm.
Wilshere, who has 34 caps with the Three Lions, was last without a club after ending his short contract with Danish club AGF Aarhus.
Instead of keeping fit and looking for a new club this summer, the Arsenal academy graduate has decided to hang up his boots and is ready to start a new career.
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Why did Wilshere announce his retirement?
After sustaining a number of injuries during his playing days, Wilshere posted on social media his decision to hang up his boots: “It’s actually hard to accept that my career has slumped lately for reasons beyond my control although I feel I still have a lot to give. “
“Having played at the highest level, I’ve always had that ambition in the game and if I’m honest, I don’t imagine being in this position at times.
“However, after having had time to reflect and speak with those closest to me, I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult times, I look back on my career with pride in what I have achieved.”
He added: “It’s been an amazing journey filled with so many amazing moments and I’m honored to have experienced everything I did during my career.”
“From being a kid kicking a ball in the park to captaining my beloved Arsenal and playing for my country in the World Cup. I have made my dream come true.”
Wilsheres career path
In addition to his appearances for England, which included two goals, Wilshere made 197 appearances for Arsenal after breaking into the senior squad at the Emirates Stadium.
He indeed only scored 14 goals, but is better known for his work ethic and ability to process the ball in the middle which supports the team’s play.
He spent some time on loan at Bolton Wanderers and Bournemouth before moving to West Ham United after his contract expired in 2018.
Physical problems that continued to haunt Wilshere could not do much, making only 19 appearances for West Ham during his three seasons in the East End.
He returned to Bournemouth in 2019/20, then in the Championship, and after that briefly played for the AGF in Denmark in February 2022.
What is the future of Wilshere?
Wilshere remains open to opportunities for himself to remain in the world of football and is ready to continue in his coaching role, with Arsenal having just left their youth coach, Dan Micciche for Crawley.
