Former England international Jermain Defoe confirms his retirement from football

Jermain Defoe, who scored 162 Premier League goals during his spells with West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Sunderland, has today confirmed his intention to retire from professional football

Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he will be retiring from professional football with immediate effect. The former England international is now looking forward to the next chapter in his career.

In his 22-year playing career, Defoe scored 162 goals in the top flight and received awards 57 caps England, He scored 20 goals, the last of which was in March 2017.

helped rangers After last season’s Scottish Premiership title, the 39-year-old returned to Sunderland in late January on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

However, after just seven appearances for the Black Cats, the veteran striker has confirmed that now is the time to hang up his boots and lower the curtain on what he describes as an “incredible journey”.

“After 22 years in football I have decided to retire from professional football. It was a really difficult decision that I have discussed with my family and those closest to me,” he wrote on social media.

“I made my professional debut in 1999 at the age of 17 and I think now is the right time to say goodbye. I’ve had an incredible journey and met some amazing people in game.

“Football will always be in my blood and it gives me great pride and satisfaction to look back on a blessed career. I am now looking forward to spending some quality time with my friends and family before moving on to this next chapter of my career.

“Thank you to all the fans from all the clubs I’ve played for. The love I have received and endured throughout my career will never be forgotten and I will always have a special bond with all of you.

“Thanks also to my amazing teammates, coaches and staff who have played such an important role in my career. Finally, I would like to thank my mother.

“You gave me a ball when I was two years old and made me believe that my dream could come true. Everything I am I owe to you, and I owe everything to you and to God.”

Defoe made his senior debut for west ham in September 200 he scored in a 1-0 win over Walsall in the League Cup. After that, he scored 41 goals for the Hammers, including 11 in the Second Division after the club’s relegation in 2003. He then joined Tottenhamwhere he enjoyed the most successful period of his career, scoring 64 goals in all competitions during his four and a half seasons in north London.

After a 12-month stint at Portsmouth, Defoe returned to Spurs in January 2009 where he played a further six seasons and eventually left the club as the sixth-highest goalscorer of all time with 143 goals in all competitions.

He then played in MLS with Toronto FC before returning to Toronto First League With Sunderland, Defoe befriended Bradley Lowery, a terminally ill youth, during his time with the Mackems and has continued to work with the Foundation in the years since Bradley’s tragic death.

The following spells with Bournemouth and Rangers, he returned to the Stadium of Light where he played seven games, most recently in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Lincoln City.