Sunderland striker, Jermain Defoe has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect at the age of 39.
Defoe began his career at youth level for Charlton in 1997 but switched to London rivals, West Ham two years later where he went on to net 41 goals in 105 appearances.
During his time at the Hammers, Defoe spent part of 2000-01 season on loan at Bournemouth, where he scored 19 goals in 31 appearances, although he later returned to the Cherries between 2017-19 which saw him only net four goals in 34 appearances.
February 2004 saw Defoe move to Tottenham of whom he enjoyed immense success with across two separate stints, as he delivered 143 goals in 362 appearances whilst also scoring once as Spurs won the 2007-08 League Cup.
In-between his spells at Tottenham, Defoe spent a year at Portsmouth where he missed out on helping the club win 2007-08 FA Cup due to being cup-tied, after representing Spurs in earlier rounds prior to his move to Fratton Park.
After departing North London at the end of his second stint with Spurs and amidst his second stint at Bournemouth, Defoe went on to play for Toronto FC, Sunderland and Rangers where he netted 81 goals in 195 appearances across his time at those latter three clubs.
A lack of game time this season at Rangers saw Defoe re-join Sunderland on a free transfer where he failed to score in seven appearances, prior to his decision to hang up his football boots and retire as he ended his 22-year playing career.
Defoe also represented England between 2004-2017 where he scored 20 goals in 57 appearances for the Three Lions.
Speaking on his decision to retire, Defoe admitted that he didn’t find retiring “an easy decision,” until after discussions with his loved ones where he decided that “now is the right time to bow out.”
Reflecting on his whole playing career, Defoe commented: “I’ve experienced an incredible journey since making my debut at 16, meeting amazing people every step of the way, and it gives me immense pride to look back on the blessed career I’ve had.”
Defoe though particularly hold “special” memories of his time at Sunderland despite his first spell ending with Premier League relegation in 2016-17 season, having formed a special bond with Black Cats supporter, Bradley Lowery who suffered from neuroblastoma.
Thankful for having the chance to finish his career at Sunderland after rejoining the club in late January, Defoe added: “Returning to the Stadium of Light was truly special and playing in front of the Sunderland supporters one last time is something that I will cherish forever, so my gratitude is with Kyril and the many others that made it happen.”
Sunderland currently sit in League One’s Play-Off zone but Defoe has urged fans to continue supporting the club, as he said: “I’ve seen first-hand that the club is rebuilding in the right ways and I’ve experienced a talented group of players improving every single day – there is so much potential within the squad and I firmly believe that Alex and the boys will go on to earn promotion this season.
“I look forward to supporting them from afar, as I look ahead to a new chapter on a different career path.”
Defoe also took to Twitter to share his own message on his decision to retire which read;
— Jermain Defoe OBE (@IAmJermainDefoe) March 24, 2022
Leave a Reply