LONDON (AP) — Former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott retired from soccer on Friday at age 34 after a career spanning 18 years.
Walcott had 129 goals in 560 appearances for Southampton, Arsenal and Everton. He also played 147 games with the English team.
At 17 he stunned when he was named to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s 2006 World Cup squad and holds the record for the youngest player ever to represent his country. He scored eight goals for his country.
Walcott began and ended his career with Southampton, a team with which he played his first game with the first team in 2005 at the age of 16. He returned to St. Mary’s in 2020.
“I’m lucky enough to have received offers to continue playing, but it feels good to finish back where I started and hang up my cleats,” he posted on Instagram.
Walcott scored 108 goals in 397 appearances in 12 seasons for Arsenal before leaving the team for Everton in January 2018.
“The support I have received in this time has been incredible in every way I could imagine and I am immensely grateful,” he added. “I have shared the field with so many incredible players and we have created unforgettable memories.”
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2023-08-18 16:18:35
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