At the age of 30, Jack Wilshere declared his retirement from the game of professional football.
After 14 appearances for Danish club AGF and a 14-year professional career, the former England international will hang up his boots. His contract with the club expired in June.
Before making his first-team debut in 2008, Wilshere began his professional career with Arsenal, where he first entered the club’s academy. Over the course of a 10-year period,
he would go on to play close to 200 games and score 14 goals for the Gunners.
Wilshere played for West Ham United and Bournemouth after leaving Arsenal before facing a new challenge in Denmark, where he battled with his form and conditioning.
The midfielder participated in one World Cup as England exited the group stages in Brazil and received 34 caps for the Three Lions. In a 2014 match against Slovenia,
Wilshere netted two goals for his nation, with both coming in the same game.
Wilshere announced his retirement from professional football on Twitter, writing: “Today I am announcing my retirement: It has been a wonderful career filled with so many incredible memories and.
“I consider it a blessing to have had the experiences I had during my career. From being a little child playing with a ball in the backyard to leading my beloved Arsenal and representing my nation at a World Cup. I’ve achieved my goal.
Since I still felt like I had so much to offer, it has been hard to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent years for reasons beyond my control. Having competed at the top level,
I have always had such lofty goals for the game, and to be quite honest, I sometimes did not think I would find myself in this situation. In spite of the challenging times,
I look back on my career with tremendous pleasure at what I have accomplished after taking some time to reflect and speak with people closest to me.
When I was a little boy growing up in Hitchin, I played at the top level with some of the best players in the world, won FA Cups, captained my team, and had many other incredible experiences,
and representing my nation were beyond my wildest aspirations. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the career I have, but none of it would be possible without the love and assistance of so many individuals.
I really want to thank my closest friends Duane and Benik. I’ve always felt that I could rely on your honesty and support since you’ve always been there for me through good times and bad.
To all of the early mentors and staff members who taught me the Arsenal way, notably Gordon Lawrence, Steve Leonard, Bobby Arber, Rog Masey, Liam Brady, Steve Bould, Mark Ellis, Tunde, and Neil Banfield.
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“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the board, management, and all other Arsenal FC personnel. I’ve been a member of the club since I was seven years old, and I want to thank you for everything since you’ve become my extended family
” Thank you to all the other coaches I worked with during my senior career, especially Roy Hodgson and Eddie Howe. Both of whom are excellent supervisors who supported me when I needed it most and at pivotal junctures in my career.
It has been an honor to share a changing room with every one of my colleagues throughout the years. We have made lifelong memories together.
I appreciate all of your assistance and support, both on and off the field. I want to express my gratitude to Colin Lewin, Declan Lunch, and his entire staff for all of their assistance during my entire career.