In Summary
- He shot to fame in 2006 as a 17 year old
- Theo said there had been some Saudi offers but it’s not where he wanted to see himself playing
Former Arsenal and England Winger Theo Walcott has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34.
With a remarkable career spanning 563 club appearances and earning 47 caps for the England national team, Walcott has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Having scored over 100 goals during his time at Arsenal and representing his country on 47 occasions, Walcott’s contribution to the game is immeasurable.
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“I’m officially going to be hanging up my boots. It’s very scary, I can’t lie, “
he said
Throughout the summer there were speculations about his potential moves to Bournemouth and league one side reading.
However, Walcott has chosen a different path, opting to retire from football after his departure from Southampton at the conclusion of last season.
“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,”
In an emotional interview with Gary Neville on the Overlap Podcast, Walcott expressed his mixed feelings about the decision.
Saudi Offers
He admitted that the prospect of retiring was intimidating, yet he was excited about exploring new opportunities beyond the pitch.
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He burst onto the scene in 2006 as a 17 year old sensation when he was unexpectedly named in Sven Goran Eriksson’s England world cup squad
“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,”
As he bids farewell to the pitch, Walcott’s legacy will continue to inspire aspiring footballers and leave a lasting impact on the sport he dedicated his life to.
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